When asked how he learned to sew, Abbey answers with a shy smile, saying it was "a gift from God."
Abbey, who is now 53 years old, grew up in the shantytowns outside of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Growing up, he did not have access to any education beyond the most rudimentary primary school. He had no opportunity to learn a trade and make a living for himself. He found himself wandering in search of work, and as a young man, made his way to Lagos, Nigeria. There providence smiled upon him, and he began working with a small group of tailors, who were willing to take him in and teach him their trade.
After a few years under their tutelage, he returned to his native Ghana to set up shop. He now lives with his two young children (ages 8 and 10 years old), trying to support his family with any sewing work he can find. He works out of his home, which can be found in the concrete and corrugated-tin sprawl that surrounds Accra.
Abbey feels very fortunate to have become a tailor, and pours a lot of pride and care into his work. He loves creating new fashions, and has a very artistic eye. He has never learned to use patterns, and instead cuts and designs his clothes freehand. He only hopes to be able to find enough work to properly care for his children. He dreams of one day building his own little shop, and training people just as he was helped so many years ago in Lagos. Then, in the future his children can benefit from the shop as well, and their future will be more secure than his was.
