Nsimire Matembera is one of our top seamstresses at The Peace Exchange. Out of all of the women, she is the most educated and experienced in sewing. At the age of 33 her life has not been easy, but than again none of the women working in the Congo have had lives of ease. Nsimire has been a victim of sexual abuse, not one but two times. She has 2 kids to show for it and is left alone to raise children in an area where most people make less than $1.50 a day.
Since 2011 Nsimire has been working with our non-profit partner ABFEK in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has received a 3-year certificate in sewing and does a great job training and helping the other women in the center. Valuing education, Nsimire promises to send her children to school... her certificate in sewing shows how education and hard work can pay off. She is an excellent leader, has an amazing smile that can light up the room, and she is creative with designs. When we return back to the DRC in the fall she is going to show us her new designs. While she loves to make the napkin and market/wine bag, her eyes are set on creating a baby bag for us to carry... Grateful to have such a talented leader in our fair trade sewing program.
