By Tiffany Kunz (of Raven and Lily - who graciously allowed us to include this update for our blog)While Sarah, Sophia, and Kirsten were in India, Amy and I (Tiffany) had the pleasure of hosting Peace from Burundi, a strong and amazing woman of God who had dedicated her life to care for her sisters in desperate need. Peace, who is the director for Women of Global Action in Central Africa, came to visit the Raven and Lily Studio with Cheryl Lovejoy (the founder of Women of Global Action: LA). She was here to raise awareness and support for the impoverished women in her country, and Raven and Lily is seeking to start a partnership with with her women’s empowerment programs. A little background on Peace…
Peace is originally from Burundi, a small country in Africa that has been plagued with genocides for the past couple of decades. (All of the terror that was publicized in Rwanda has happened in Burundi as well.) Peace, her husband and their three children fled Burundi after the third genocide began and became citizens of Canada. She stayed in Canada until she heard the undeniable voice of God calling her back to her home country.
Through WOGA, Peace teaches impoverished women how to sew and become self sufficient to support themselves and their families. At the moment there are 100 women involved in Burundi and Rwanda, and over 350 more women that are on a wait list to join her program. Their needs are great, and we are asking God to show us how best to support Peace’s work. So many stories - women who can’t pay rent for want of $5 (which is what one room’s monthly rent is!) and who can’t eat as they don’t have the $2 necessary to pay for food that day. Peace told us that she often fasts for a week - eating only dinners - so she can give the money to the women for their meals. Really desperate stories - helping these women will help their families and literally save lives.
Through WOGA, Peace teaches impoverished women how to sew and become self sufficient to support themselves and their families. At the moment there are 100 women involved in Burundi and Rwanda, and over 350 more women that are on a wait list to join her program. Their needs are great, and we are asking God to show us how best to support Peace’s work. So many stories - women who can’t pay rent for want of $5 (which is what one room’s monthly rent is!) and who can’t eat as they don’t have the $2 necessary to pay for food that day. Peace told us that she often fasts for a week - eating only dinners - so she can give the money to the women for their meals. Really desperate stories - helping these women will help their families and literally save lives.
Our weekend with Peace started with her visit to our studio on Friday where she showed us the beautiful items made by the ladies in her program. We shared our personal stories and like-minded visions to support disadvantaged women, and Amy discussed pattern ideas and different ways that we could help out and partner with Peace's sewing cooperative. Peace was then taken to Hope Gardens, a local Los Angeles based transitional housing facility for women and children that had been living on the streets of Skid Row. These “homeless” women were so touched by the story of the women in Burundi that they asked how they could help and if they could give some money. Amazing.
On Saturday, Peace was our guest of honor for a WOGA: LA brunch at the R&L studio. It was a beautiful sunny morning that was blessed by many intelligent and wonderful, strong ladies. The event came to a close with an inspiring time of prayer and then we all had fun snatching up all of the goodies Peace brought to sell. All in all, it was a huge blessing to have met Peace and an eye opening experience to hear about life in Burundi. Please be praying for her, her family, and the women in her program…that God will protect them, provide everything they need, and show Raven + Lily how we can partner with these beautiful women.
On Saturday, Peace was our guest of honor for a WOGA: LA brunch at the R&L studio. It was a beautiful sunny morning that was blessed by many intelligent and wonderful, strong ladies. The event came to a close with an inspiring time of prayer and then we all had fun snatching up all of the goodies Peace brought to sell. All in all, it was a huge blessing to have met Peace and an eye opening experience to hear about life in Burundi. Please be praying for her, her family, and the women in her program…that God will protect them, provide everything they need, and show Raven + Lily how we can partner with these beautiful women.
