vendor highlight #17

The Refugee Sewing Society is our next vendor. I love what this ministry is doing and am excited that you all will get the chance to support these women and their families all by doing some shopping! Here's a little background on the Refugee Sewing Society:

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We are in our fifth year as a ministry to refugee women in Clarkston, where the U.S. government has resettled thousands of refugees since 1990.  Since it started in a single small room in November 2008, the RSS has been a place of hope and healing for refugee women who fled genocide and ethnic cleansing in places such as Bhutan, Somalia, Sudan, Congo and Iraq. Today, approximately 40 women meet every week in our 11-room space in Clarkston International Bible Church.  They sew, do beadwork, knit, crochet and weave. The items they produce are then offered for sale, with 70 percent of the proceeds going to the woman who made the product. This enables the ladies to earn a paycheck that helps support their families.  Besides an income, the RSS provides these women – many of whom have witnessed and suffered atrocities – an atmosphere for healing, a place to express creativity and a means for building self-esteem. The ladies – who include Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists – also are given the opportunity to learn about the Christian faith.

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I love that first picture of the women showing off what they have made. The smiles on their faces show a sense of pride and gratitude at the same time. They are given the opportunity to help support their families through the Refugee Sewing Society. I would love for you to stop by their booth and learn more about these women and what RSS is doing in the community. And of course, buy some of their beautiful items for sale!