Don’t miss out on the Pearls of Hope pendant/chain giveaway from Women at Risk! – IT ENDS TODAY! :)

Gillian Ferwerda of Women at Risk, International has been sharing amazing posts with us during the Redeemed series– today is the final post in the series!  I pray it has blessed and challenged you as it has me.

Swe Zin’s Story
Burma

As she began the sewing classes, Swe Zin was thrilled—she just knew, deep down, that her new job skills would transform her life.

It was a unique opportunity; someone had given her a scholarship to attend the sewing classes. She was thrilled, touched, amazed that someone overseas would care enough about her to give her this life-changing opportunity! Her heart was light, her feet skipped, and her hands were warm with excitement as she made her way to the little classroom. Little did she know what else she would find.

Property of WAR, Int'l

Warmly welcomed by the women who hosted the classes, she felt at home. The women were loving and kind—and they had a hope and joy she had never known in her home.

Day in and day out, she saw the way they responded to each other, to her, and to crises. She was so intrigued by this joy that after the sewing classes were done, she longed to find out more about this savior they called Jesus.

Prevention and job training

Dignity disguised as a sewing machine. The key to a woman’s future is through economic worth and independence. These give the woman a better wedding match, a chance to escape abuse, and value as an economic contributor to the marriage, not just as a baby factory to be shoved aside when she has given the requisite number.

Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) with our national partners started a small sewing center in Bangladesh, beginning with five women and planning to expand. Already, fifty women have applied for the five slots. The local church will follow up, giving hope in a number of ways.

Time and time again, when women start earning an income they see an end to their abuse. Suddenly, a wife who seemed to be “in the way” becomes valuable, a bread winner. Men in her life respond. This sewing academy will invest value, dignity, and hope in many, many women’s lives.

Furthermore, job training effectively helps the next generation. One study reported that when “men’s crops flourish, the household spends more money on alcohol and tobacco. When the women have a good crop, the households spend more money on food. ‘When women command greater power, child health and nutrition improves.”[1] Women are passionate about feeding, clothing, and educating their children.

The need in this particular area is great. 200,000 Bengali women and girls have been trafficked to another country in the last 10 years, continuing at the rate of 200-400 women monthly. Forms of trafficking include fake marriages, sale by parents to “uncles” offering jobs, auctions to brothel owners of farmers, abduction.[2]

What you can do!

Help us by equipping this new sewing academy! Fifty widows and orphans have already applied, but we only have spots for five students initially, but hope to expand this program.

5 sewing machines—$125 each

Over lock machine—$95

5 Scissors, 10 inch—$13 each

Scissors, 12 inch—$4 each

5 scissors, small—$2.50 each

6 measurement tapes—$0.60 each

Scale, big—$0.60 each

Safe ruler—$0.60 each

Iron—$26.50

Geometry box—$3.00

Cutting table, 6.5’—$70.00

Wall shelf—$35

Steel almirah—$139

5 small stools—$26.50 each

Chair—$26.50

Staple—$2

Cloth, machine oil, strings, buttons—$71 for one year

White board—$44

White board   markers—$18

Tailor Master’s Salary—$52 per month, need 12 months

5 sewing machines for graduation gift—$125 each

Certificate, graduation ceremony—$69.50

Sewing house rent—$18 per month

TOTAL            $2,255.80

Is this a project you, your crafting friends, or your church group would be interested in taking on?  If you are interested, email us at info(at)warinternational.org or call 616-855-0796.

For you

There is an incredible amount of injustice in the world today. As God’s children, we are to be his hands and feet bringing justice. It is certain that our God is a just God, and that Jesus will bring justice (Isaiah 11:1-6).

How I long for that day! I am amazed that God has rescued us and has called us to be his co-workers (1 Corinthians 3:9) and to be his ambassadors and his agents of change (2 Corinthians 5:20). What a privilege as rescued and redeemed children of God we can work to rescue others in our Savior’s name, strength, and power!

From Kristi: Want to know more about how to find freedom through Jesus Christ? Please email me – I would love to talk with you.

[1] Esther Duflo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, quoted by Nicholas D. Kristoff, “The Women’s Crusade,” 2009.

[2] Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific