Empower Survivors of Modern Slavery in Tanzania

Spring is upon us and we have more exciting updates to share about Sewing Hope for Girls. We are now just a few hundred dollars away from our $9000 goal, and the shop is well on its way to becoming a smashing success. We invite you to share this campaign and continue to be a part of life transformation for young survivors of modern slavery

Between caring for the young women at New Hope for Girls, running the sewing shop, Eliya’s full-time work with the embassy, and rearing their own two children, things are incredibly hectic with the family. Through all the busy-ness, Consoler took some time to give us a few updates on their progress.

AFN continues to attract new business and customers, and to identify which items are in the highest demand. Right now, that includes zippers, buttons, and other small items. The most exciting update, however, is that the shop now generates enough income to pay two full-time workers! With the shop becoming more income-stable, and even profitable soon, Consoler and Eliya have their eye on expansion and are looking at opportunities to open additional micro-shops selling the most popular items. Opening sister stores in areas with significantly lower rent will help to create higher profit margins and ensure a more stable and sustainable future.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible story and journey and we look forward to sharing more updates soon.

Happy Holidays! With the New Year nearly upon us, I am happy to share some updates with you about the Sewing Hope for Girls shop.

This #GivingTuesday, our amazing New Hope for Girls champions raised over $1000 to bring us closer to the final fundraising goal of $9000. We are now only about $1000 away from the goal! Reaching this goal by New Year’s Eve will ensure that the store’s successful opening blossoms into long-term success. The funds will go to increasing the shop’s inventory, allowing Eliya to take time away from his job to manage and build the business, and general operational costs during the start-up stage.

The store is on its way to bringing sustainable income to support more than 30 girls rescued from modern slavery. You are the reason that these tremendous strides forward are able to happen! 

We invite you to deepen your impact by sharing this campaign with friends and considering a second gift towards this meaningful project. You can continue to be a part of life transformation for young survivors of modern slavery.

African Road Executive Director Kelly Bean and I had the chance to catch up with Consoler and Eliya in November. Our gathering in Kigali was with leaders from across East Africa to share feedback on our VICOBA business & savings program. Consoler and Eliya participated in that program in 2015 by leading a women’s cooperative through the training. During the gathering, they shared that they are very happy with the progress the store is making. Eliya is continuing to manage the store in addition to his full-time job, which makes for a full plate! Some of the girls from the New Hope for Girls house are working at the store as well.

Consoler and Eliya have also identified wholesale suppliers in Dubai who can provide supplies at a cheaper rate than those they are currently using. Cutting costs is one of the strategies that they have identified for making the store viable for the long-term. They will be switching to a different wholesale supplier in the New Year.

We can't thank you enough for your generosity in making the Sewing Hope for Girls Shop a success! Together, we can reach the goal of $9000 by December 31^st at midnight!