This is a fundraiser for Action Kivu, an organization in eastern Congo that runs a sewing workshop for victims of the conflict there. The conflict in Congo has taken the lives of over 5.4 million people since 1998. Rape is used as a weapon of war, with estimates putting the number of rapes in the hundreds of thousands.
Needless to say, this specific organization, with its link to sewing and women, really strikes a personal chord in me and I suspect, with many of you as well. Our online sewing community is so blessed to be able to pursue our love of sewing as a hobby, career, or just for fun, but for these women, learning to sew is life changing and gives them hope for their futures.
The Action Kivu sewing workshop of course costs money to run and they need supplies – sewing machines and more. I am launching this fundraiser to raise the money for their supplies (and Action Kivu’s other activities should we raise over $7500) and I hope that you’ll join me by giving what you can. All donations are tax deductible.
This is not lighthearted stuff and it is difficult to face, but we’re in a real position to help these sewing sisters so please do take the time to watch this 5 minute video and donate. After you watch the video, go to Handmade by Alissa to learn the details of the fabric giveaways that you could win if you give!
Action Kivu: Sewing Workshop Fundraiser
So please do DONATE!!! And give what you can – if you can give $10, please do. If you can give $500, please do! Click and give so that we can all work together to help these women!
Many more details in the case that you’d like to know them:
You’re probably wondering how I got involved. My twin sister, Cate, is working with Action Kivu. Action Kivu provides some of the eastern Congo’s victims of violence with the opportunity to rebuild their lives on a foundation of hope, dignity, and economic self-sustenance. Their approach is spearheaded through two programs. First, they run a sewing workshop that teaches women who are victims of the conflict to sew. This leads them to be able to support themselves and their families. Secondly, they pay for children to go to school which is not free in Congo. It costs $40 a year, per child. That’s very little money that makes a big impact.
If you are wondering why we can’t just donate our old sewing machines, there are a few reasons. First, getting supplies to eastern Congo is no simple task and would cost more than the value of the goods. Secondly they need very specific things. For example, they don’t always have power so they need trundle sewing machines. Lastly, it’s best that they buy the supplies there, putting the money into the local economy. You can imagine that buying a sewing machine helps not only the woman who sews with it, but the person they buy it from and the money trickles down from there.
Action Kivu is run in eastern Congo by a Congolese man, Amani Matabaro (who you saw in the video), who Cate knows personally and who is amazingly passionate and committed to his cause of helping women and children in his country. As an orphan who lost his parents in the conflict, he was driven to try to do something to help. He currently works as an interpreter for the UN and runs Action Kivu in all of his spare time. Amani has specifically asked for these things – we will not be throwing this money into the wind, not knowing where it’s going. Through photos and emails with Amani we will be able to see the immediate and concrete results of our fundraising.
If you’d like, you can learn more about the conflict, here.
Any other questions? Just drop me an email or comment and I will happily answer them for you!
Action Kivu is always taking donations but entries into the giveaways close on Sunday, 8/29 12:00 am EST.
So please do DONATE!!! And give what you can – if you can give $10, please do. If you can give $500, please do! Click and give so that we can all work together to help these women!
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