MICHELLE ADELE TABU

Meet one of our seamstresses working for The Peace Exchange from a recent face to face interview with Michelle in Spring of 2014.  On this visit to Congo our team took time to sit down and do personal interviews with each individual working for our program.  Michelle is one that stood out the most.  This woman walked in with a beautiful smile... yet shared a tragic story and had gone through so much.  In the midst of great strive and pain, she still smiles and has joy.  Inspiring.  May her joy bring reflection as to what is really important in life...

Tabu means “suffering”… which is true to her life.  Living like a street child, Michelle never had the chance to attend school.  After her husband was killed in the war conflict, she was left alone to raise 3 children.  With many health problems and stress, Michelle says her only hope is The Peace Exchange.  She thanks us and our supporters stating that we are a true blessing to her life.  “Coming to The Peace Exchange Sewing Center every day gives me hope for a better future.  Thank you,"  stated Ms. Tabu.

501c3

It's official, the Peace Exchange is official.  Yes, after much work we are a registered non-profit organization.  Today we received our final approval documents to work as a 501c3.  This is exciting news!  Thank you to our attorney, Mr. Tom Davis, at Davis Law who helped us draft our articles and meet IRS requirements.  The process has taken us 6 months, but it was worth the hard work.  Good news to all of our supporters, any gift or donations that you have made to us in the 2014 year is tax deductible.  And, as we roll forward to open new artisan centers around the globe - all forward efforts from supporters will also been seen as a charitable contribution... now, that is something to smile about.
When thinking of entering a big event this weekend, what better news to share.  Amani from the Congo is here, we are launching our new website, and we can properly celebrate the official status of being a not for profit organization.  Yay!  Happy!  Whew - hard work does pay off.

The beginning of School

It's the start of a new school year in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In recently Skyping with Amani and Espe, our Peace Exchange leaders on the ground in DRC, we heard stories of how our women are not only excited but able to send their kids to school from the money earned working in our fair trade program.  Believe it or not, education in most of Africa comes with a fee.  Yes, for a child to attend school and receive an education of any kind, the parents have to pay monthly school wages.  There is no free public education system.  In an area where people make on average $1.50 a day, and these people are mostly single mothers raising more than 1 child - education is often a privilege.  This is why fair trade is so important.  Fair Trade is the tool we use to empower women who have been left with no hope and educate their children... Creating a new generation of leaders in an area of desperate need.  In doing volunteer work abroad, many programs are not sustainable or they do not give enterprise to locals who need it the most.  This is where The Peace Exchange is different, we work with locals, buy local, employ locals and work to build economic sustainability.  Our mission is to not only employ women, but empower them and educate their children.  As stated by the legendary Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."  We could not agree more! 

Napkins?

I would be lying if I said that I was not surprised by how well our African wax-print fair trade napkins are selling.  Actually, I'm shocked!  Who would have thought napkins would be our best selling item?  I know I sure did not foresee the success of the napkin.  We can't keep them in stock.  No joke, as soon as they arrive we sell them like 'hotcakes'.  I'm starting to see why.  They are bright, funky, colorful and make great gifts.  Mix and match a set or stay with the same fabric, they still look great.  Good for picnics and dinner parties, they also make cool hand-towels.  Easy to wash and reuse people are loving the concept of fabric napkins instead of paper.  Not only is it better for the environment, it really does help on a broader scope.  That's the beauty of fair trade... shopping for a cause that gives women an opportunity with an impact far beyond what one can actually comprehend.  Yes, your purchase does make a difference, even if it's a napkin.

Where the Magic Happens

The Sewing Center is where the magic happens.  We are blessed to work in such a beautiful building and location.  Most of our seamstresses for The Peace Exchange work in the A-frame (photo below).  This building, create by the non-profit hands of many, acts not only as a sewing center but a women's center as well.  The women sew/work on the entire upstairs of the structure while the downstairs has a separate entrance and is dedicated to helping rebuild women who have gone through horrific hardships and trauma.  The lower facilities has beds, a nice bathroom, living room, kitchen area and office.  The entire center is run off solar panels creating a unique form of self sufficiency in a very poor area.  On average 6-9 women, with their small children, live on the property at a time.  We could not be more happy to be working with theses talented Peace Exchange artists... off a dirt road in Mumosho.  Yes, this place you see below - located in the middle of rugged African landscapes - is where the magic happens.

Our Top Seamstress: Nsimire Matembera

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.  

Amani Matabaro

Amani translated means Peace... This is one of the reasons we decided to call our fair trade program the Peace Exchange.  Mr. Amani Matabaro is a leader in eastern Congo who has dedicated his life to helping others.  A well educated man who speaks seven languages, Amani is one talented individual!  After losing both of his parents in the war, Amani is committed to creating a better life for his wife and 5 children.  The Matabaro family started a non-profit called ABFEK that works with Action Kivu.  Together they created the sewing workshops where The Peace Exchange fair trade program exists today.  We are so honored to work with good people and quality organizations.  Next week Amani arrives in California for special events and speaking engagements.  Stay tuned for a chance to connect with a man who has a heart to help the world.  Those of us at the Peace Exchange hope you can come out to meet him... It will be life changing.  Guaranteed!