Introducing Imani
I was invited to join in the worship, play, and other daily life of a group of Congolese women and some children who lived together in a ZP house and my breath was taken away by their joy, their passion, their atmosphere shaking singing and dancing as they praised God.
(Here are some photos from the trip. You can see the Congolese with the beads and praying for people)
The women had been trafficked into Uganda by Ugandan soldiers who had come into Congo to fight the rebel group that ravaged Northern Uganda. Then the women were abandoned in Gulu as illegal immigrants who didn't speak the language. They were in prostitution to survive... then came to live in a house run by ZP.
Zion Project trained the women to make beads out of paper, which were made into beautiful necklaces. Paper! The paper beads were alternative source of income for the women and a means of supporting the house.
Since then, Zion Project has been continuing to develop relationships and love a whole community of Congolese women with similar stories. ZP started a counseling support group for the women. Many women are leaving prostitution and seeking a new life.
Their new jewelry line, Imani, is the opportunity for a new way for these amazing Congolese women to provide for themselves and their children.
The stories I've been reading about what's happening in these women's lives is humbling and beautiful. Read more about them here
So I'm thrilled to introduce you to them and their jewelry line. I consider the necklaces a treasure- like the women themselves.
Enjoy!
What a great story! Can't wait to read more about the Zion Project! Thanks Brandi!
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