A Single Bracelet

 And these things remain.. Faith, Hope, and Love

1 Corinthians 13:13

Faith/ Foi

Two years ago we began dreaming about what it would look like for women to attend school- to learn to sew and then become employed seamstresses. I have to admit, I was not exactly certain it was possible.  Not because there wasn't belief in the program or the people.  It just felt so intangible.  It felt so big.  And there are always those times when you wonder if maybe other people wouldn't want to jump alongside you.  And yet despite our doubts and worries, women came.  YOU came.  And day by day, class by class, stitch by stitch....the learning and the growing began.  Women were there learning while nursing their new babies.  They walked for miles each day to attend class.  Rain or shine they showed up. We have faith that we can provide scholarships to MORE women who are knocking on the door and begging for scholarships. Women are waiting, and we have faith God will provide.

Students thriving at the sewing center

Students thriving at the sewing center

Hope/ L’espoir

In DRC, there is a desperate need for sustainable jobs in order for families to stay together. Our goal is to prevent any mother from having to make the decision to leave her children due to poverty. Currently, there 8 mothers attending Sewing Training hoping for greater opportunities for their families. Soon to be graduate and mother of four, Sarah has hope for the future.  Hope to become a business owner and become financially independent to support her family. Thank you for helping us empower mothers like Sarah to provide for their children with respect and dignity.  Not only are the mothers in the program thriving and growing but so are the children that are in their care!  Hope begets hope begets hope begets hope.  Because you gave hope to Sarah, Sarah is giving hope to her four children.

Sarah’s children often attend Sewing Training with her. She now has HOPE for the future.

Sarah’s children often attend Sewing Training with her. She now has HOPE for the future.

Love/ Amour

Although One Thread started as a program to support Mothers, we have expanded to so much more. We are proud to support young girls in the community, some as young as 15. The training will equip these young women with the skills and the tools to eventually launch their own business.  Due to generous donations, One Thread has been able to provide a nutritious meal for each of the 21 women in the Sewing School. We see this as more than a simple meal. We see this as one small way to serve and love these vulnerable and valuable women.  We also are able to love on our seven graduates and provide each one of them with their very own Sewing machine.  We want to show love to more women and provide a way for sustainable income.

Community meals are shared by the women. Each of the seven graduates received their own sewing machines!

Community meals are shared by the women. Each of the seven graduates received their own sewing machines!

"A Single Bracelet Does Not Jingle"

- Congolese Proverb

What is next for One Thread Project? The need is endless in a place with few opportunities, especially for women.  Not only do we believe in Faith, Hope, and Love, we also believe in the power of dreaming. Just as we began dreaming the vision for One Thread two year ago, we have dreams of helping more women in the community by providing them with the same Faith, Hope and Love we have been able to show day by day to the women we are currently serving. We have big dreams for the future of One Thread…. more scholarships, sewing machines for all graduates, formal business training, providing school tuition for young children.  With the team in Kinshasa, we are dreaming for the future. We have partnered with the talented designed at Cotton + Chrome to offer these beautiful handcrafted Congolese Bracelets.

All proceeds will go directly to providing scholarships for young women to attend Emmanuel sewing school and to support our graduates as they begin to launch their own businesses. 

 

 

 

Holly DodenComment