Meet Carol

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"Zikomo for sending my 3 children to school. I was unemployed but now I can take my kids to school."

This training program isn't just helping vulnerable women in Ng'ombe. It's benefiting entire families, providing them with opportunity through education that was not possible beforehand without income for fees. You're helping to change families, paving a way of hope for the next generation. Zikomo.

Vulnerable Women: Single Mothers

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Yesterday I had the joy of going to Kamwala with Tresa to purchase more fabric for our beautiful bracelets and headbands. After returning with a bundle of vibrant colors and African prints, I just sat in the house with Tresa to hear of her life outside of CiH, outside of the training class. Little did I know, I was about to learn more than I have in a while about this culture, by just sitting. And listening. And loving. Tresa is a 23-year-old beautiful mother of two boys, George (6) and Joshua (2). Tresa is Elina’s daughter and lives with her in Ng’ombe, along with the other children. Her smile lights up an entire room. She has a singing voice that brings joy to everyone. Behind that smile and that voice is a story, a life of hardship which she faces each and every day.

You can read more details of Tresa’s story here, but let me share a bit of what she shared with me yesterday. Our heart as an organization was ignited by the story of a widow, but continues to grow with the stories of other vulnerable women, such as Tresa’s as a single mother. Tresa was offered promises of marriage and security with each of her son’s fathers, but each time proved to be a lie, a scar, a burden for her to endure.

Single mothers don’t receive “child support” in Zambia. They receive what is called “damages” because the child left behind from a man is said to have “damaged her life.” This is just a one-time payment of less than $1,000, but a payment that many women never receive due to corruption and bribes throughout the system. Tresa has never received a single payment from George or Joshua’s fathers.

When talking about marriage, Tresa said she desires and hopes to marry someday, but culturally it’s not that easy. Most men do not accept other men’s children as their own, so when a man marries a woman with other children, he neglects to treat her children fairly, as humans even. Tresa shared that her married friend’s husband refuses to let her children attend school and eat full meals. The oppression of the woman isn’t isolated to her life, it’s culturally carried by her children as well. That’s why Tresa told me, “it’s better that I remain alone, so that my children will not have to face that.”

When we hear injustices, we tend to say, “something has to be done, that’s just not right.” I absolutely agree with that. But we can’t change a culture with deep-rooted customs, traditions and beliefs just overnight. We can help Tresa, and the other single mothers suffering from this hardship in Zambia. Before CiH, trapped in poverty, unable to send George to school without the help of a working husband, Tresa has suffered greatly in ways unimaginable to most of us. Tresa has been empowered though, to take advantage of opportunities brought by CiH to enjoy a new life, one not just improved through finances, but changed through renewed confidence, the ability to send George to school this term and to feed both him and Joshua, and with the hope of renting her own place with her beautiful family. Tresa won’t let her title as a single mother define her life or the life of her children. She is a woman: strong, courageous, beautiful, selfless, hopeful, empowered.

Thank you for bringing hope to single mothers in Zambia. Join us as we witness the ripple effects of one program in one compound in Lusaka. It can’t happen without you.

With Chikondi, Amy

Community-Owned and Sustainable

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When setting up an African nonprofit from the US, there are always things you hope for but just may not be possible. There are things that happen that you didn’t see coming. But there is such joy in the moments where things go exactly as planned, as wished for, for the good of the organization and every person it impacts. This week brought one of those moments. In order for a nonprofit like ours to really thrive and be of great benefit to the people of Zambia, it must be community-owned and it must be sustainable. We’re not the crutch they lean on, we’re the fuel to launch them towards empowerment and ownership of CiH in Zambia, for truly lasting impacts in their communities and in their families. It’s not the easy way to do things, but it’s the way that’s worth it. For some this takes years to establish. For some it never really happens.

For us, we are thankful. The ten women of CiH excitedly proclaim, “I am a fashion designer!” as they create beautiful, handmade, high-quality bracelets, and now headbands, from their own designs. The women show up before class is scheduled to begin, and leave hours after it is supposed to end, breaking the notion that everyone here runs off of “African” time. When I asked them if they’re enjoying the program the replied, “why else would we stay for hours after?” And this isn’t just something that launched quickly but will quickly fade. We’re just getting started.

One day this week, the women all spoke Nyanja to each other, discussing something I couldn’t quite understand with my few-word Nyanja vocabulary. After they were finished though, they told me that they all just decided that CiH must be a group thing. They all must help each other, encourage each other, challenge each other to be the best they can be. They all are committed to the success of one other, and no one person will receive more benefit than another. They’ll all receive the benefit together through the hard work they contribute as a group. They value the friendship of one another and delight in learning, creating, and sharing life with each other. This just sends waves of joy throughout every fiber of CiH. What we hoped for, what we dreamt, is a reality. These ten women take ownership of their skill as a group, and they see the future as opportunity to thrive. They enjoy hope.

Perhaps the most exciting moment up to this point was one I didn’t quite plan for, one that exceeded my highest expectation of the whole community-owned thing. I’ve been planning on training a leader here to fully take over CiH when I’m in the States, one who’s passionate about the women of Ng’ombe, one who’s trustworthy, dedicated and committed. I had ideas but I thought the one woman would only be decided upon my leaving Zambia in October. Boy was I wrong. Elina walked me out on Tuesday afternoon and handed me a piece of paper. Written on it was a list of 13 guidelines for the group to follow so that they can further succeed in their learning, design and production. Elina also told me to take 2 days a week to work on the business-side of things because she’s got it covered. She’ll take care of what needs to happen. Mondays and Wednesdays are all hers, and it’s a win-win for everyone involved. How incredible is this?!

Sooner than expected, thankful, and full of joy, I am proud to tell you all that Clothed in Hope is sustainable. Clothed in Hope is community-owned. Together, we’re equipping and empowering Zambians to improve the lives of Zambians, the best possible way to see development and change better this nation.

Great and exciting things are happening here. Will you join us? We’d love your help.

With Chikondi, Amy

Introducing Chikondi

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This week marked another momentous step in the skills training program here in Lusaka, Zambia. All ten of our CiH women stepped beyond designers and producers to become businesswomen.  They created the first batch of beautiful fabric bracelets from traditional African chitenge, with love, joy, and according to the group-decided quality standards.  As all 80 bracelets are spread out on my table this very moment, I know that these aren’t just bracelets. They’re not even just money. They’re beauty. Each bracelet represents a story, a life of a woman here in Zambia who sings with her friends during each workday, who laughs and rejoices in triumphs, who has her friend to rely on in the tougher days, who sacrifices herself for the survival of her family, who takes on each day of life with joy. This bracelet here is an expression of the hope found here despite the difficulties and discrimination faced by these widows, single mothers, vulnerable women in this slum community. Each bracelet is different; it’s unique, just like the ten incredible women I’ve had the joy of getting to know. I look forward to sharing their words with you over the next weeks and months, and of how your support is creating a ripple effect of betterment throughout this community, one that has gone unnoticed and uncared about for too many years.

When we were developing our product line a couple of weeks back, everyone decided they wanted a Nyanja name to represent these bracelets and other handmade items. And the name they decided on couldn’t be more representative of this organization. It’s Chikondi (chee-cone-dee). And it means love. From our women to your homes, our women wanted to share with you the love they’ve felt from CiH and from each other, expressing that there cannot be hope without love as it is our motivation for every day of life.

Our beautiful Chikondi bracelets will be up for sale shortly so check back for those along with more exciting updates along the way. There is always much to share. Until then, here is a short clip from the ten women of Clothed in Hope: Elina, Doreen, Jessy, Tresa, Margaret, Given, Bridget, Emeli, Pauline, and Carol. Check it out: We are Clothed in Hope

We are Clothed in Hope, and let’s live today in Chikondi.

[With this great opportunity and huge steps forward comes great need. We just purchased 4 more professional-grade machines this week. Our commitment to quality for you and better opportunity for our women brings higher costs to our program. With some unexpected expense, we could really use your help. The cost difference in purchasing these professional machines instead of our budgeted cheaper (easily broken and poor quality) machines is just over $1,000. If you would like to help further our sewing training program, you can donate directly on this site. All donations are tax-deductible and are greatly appreciated by each and every woman here with a huge “Zikomo” (thank you)!]

With Chikondi, Amy & Elina, Doreen, Jessy, Tresa, Margaret, Given, Bridget, Emeli, Pauline, Carol

Progress

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Wow, so much has happened over here since the “Our First Day” post, that I don’t even know if I can cover it all in just a few paragraphs. But here’s my best attempt. Let’s start with the biggest news, perhaps ever: In just a few days, with no extra fees required, and with a ton of blessings, we have officially become a Zambian NGO!! A huge thanks goes to Brian and Elina, who we couldn’t be more grateful for. Here, there’s a Zambian way and a mzungu (outsider) way, so Brian and Elina helped us to go the Zambian way, the quickest and most efficient way. So stop right where you are, and celebrate. This is a huge step for us, one that opens a million doors. Because of our status, YOU can come here to share your passions and talents with the people of the Ng’ombe compound, legally! Since we’re officially recognized locally, we can apply for grants, seek out government funding, have a presence at local markets, and so, so much more. If you’d like to celebrate some more, go on ahead, but there’s more to share.

We are already in our production stages with some incredible CiH-designed accessories! Again, we thought we’d be lucky to have this started up in a month or two, but here we go. Last weekend, the women all wanted “homework” so they had the task of designing a bracelet from fabric and secondhand t-shirt material. Women came back for the next class with beautiful designs, all without Pinterest or Etsy influences to help them out! Such amazing creativity. I’m so proud of our women. Not only are they soaking up business and finance education, encouraging each other in their efforts, producing products, but they are fashion designers. And boy are they proud, too! Talk about empowering. These women don’t just have an opportunity to bring in income to their families, they have a new title to stand proudly in front of, one they’ve earned every bit of. Check out Facebook & Twitter for some of these designs, and hopefully they’ll be available at a store near you and on Etsy in just a few months! Elina designed the knot bracelet, and Tresa designed the twist bracelet, both of which are being produced at this very moment.

We’re not stopping there. Headbands and more are on the way to production next week, but this isn’t just some assembly line. CiH is a community of women, encouraging, loving, teaching, and growing each other through the shared knowledge and skills among our first group. They laugh together. They work out tough techniques together. They create together. The more I’ve been able to just be there, the more I realize the beauty and blessings of community. Jessy, Doreen, Elina, Tresa, Gift, Margaret, and so many others, are living life for each other. As much as CiH is teaching, we (all of us Americans) can all learn so much from these incredible women.

I think that’s where I’ll stop for now. But just know, it’s real, and it’s happening, and I will continue to be so thankful that you’ve chosen to be a part of it all. Wanna come over? Do it. Wanna donate a sewing machine to allow for more learning? Do it. Wanna spread the word so that CiH can spread throughout Lusaka? Do it. We can use all the help you’ll give.

With Chikondi (Love), Amy

Our first day

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So yesterday was incredible. It was our first training day! July 30 mark the calendar. I didn’t know if anyone would show up, or how it would go, but every expectation was met like 100 fold. Jessy, Doreen, Elina, Tresa, Pauline (Tresa’s cousin) and Monica (Jessy’s friend) all came dressed in their finest clothes, eager to learn and see the skill developed. We opened with my brother, Mark’s business seminar introducing the idea of profit, sales, and cost to them. None of them had heard of profit before so it was an enlightening experience for them all. Then I had over an hour to introduce stitches. We did the plain stitch to create a seam, discussed seam quality, and briefly talked about seam finishes. The women were actively engaged, determined to learn and diligent workers when it came to practicing. We practiced on chitenge, and are all so excited to share our product ideas with y’all in the US! After all of that, they used gathers to make their first project: a rosette/fabric flower. They absolutely loved it and Tresa even tacked hers to the curtain behind them after the training session had ended. We’re all brainstorming possible markets and products to keep profit up and costs down for the most benefit financially. All of the women know each other and are becoming better friends through learning and laughing together. We have a ways to go, but we have accomplished so very much in just 2 hours on the first day. I couldn’t feel happier about how things went, or more grateful for getting to be a part of this experience. To them, this is huge. To me it is also as I get to learn from women who are a part of a culture so different than my own. We all win. Tomorrow is another class day, so it’s odd I find myself planning for the lesson the night before like I’m some sort of teacher. Funny how things seem to work out.

Immediately following the class, Brian, the sponsor of my visa letter and a prominent community leader in Ng’ombe, stopped by to discuss some business with me. He is one incredible man. Humble, contagiously joyful, very intelligent, determined, and passionate just to name a few. His smile lights up the room, and his laugh is one I will cherish forever. What’s most special about him though is his heart for his community. He feels called to care for the vulnerable people, especially women and children in Ng’ombe, but knows he doesn’t have the resources to. He told me that by my coming, he is inspired because he knows there’s really something great happening in Ng’ombe. He thanked me over and over for coming, for leaving my comfort of America, to sacrifice for these women without looking for a benefit in return. But really, I’m the one benefitting. I’m the one inspired by his passion and determination to see better lives for his peers. I’m the one at a loss for words for his sacrificial love to begin filing to help us become a Zambian NGO without even ever asking him. Clothed in Hope will be a mighty force to bring empowerment, love and hope to many people there. I know this not out of my own wishing or pride, but because Pastor Brian has the same vision as me. And if you ask me, it’s pretty amazing that one man in the middle of some slum compound 6,000 miles away from my home shares my same vision for this place. He says he asks himself, “why here?” But his heart is to thankful for sending someone to serve this place. Now I ask myself, “why me?” It is a pure blessing to be here.

With Love & full of joy, Amy

Together

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I'm here in Zambia, safe and sound, and although things are quite different here, so much feels so comforting. Yesterday I walked the same Zambezi Rd. to the Ng'ombe compound that I have for the past couple of years to the same house that I went to last year. It's incredible to see Clothed in Hope becoming a reality, faster and more cohesively than we ever imagined. Yesterday I just spent time reconnecting with Elina and with a shout and a smile, I knew we were together again, and it felt so great. Miles and cultures may stand in the way of us most times, but in the end we're all the same and the beauty of friendship is universal.

Today, I had the sheer joy of sitting in Elina's living room surrounded by the most beautiful people I have ever met in my life. The CiH women were together again. They've been so excited for things to start, and what a blessing it is to get to tell them that they are, right now. We shared ideas, we exchanged thoughts and suggestions. This isn't my project or my nonprofit, it's their community initiative to see change brought about to the Ng'ombe compound through their skills training program. Giving them the responsibility and decision-making ability didn't deliver burdens but rather brought freedom.

In the meeting, I asked when they'd like to start and how often, thinking it may be a day here and there for the next 3 months of my stay. But oh was I wrong. The women all spoke in their native language of Nyanja together, and cohesively said "Monday!" and agreed that they want to meet every single weekday to learn business and trade skills to make product for income generation and empowerment that's contagious in that community.

So here we go. Monday at 14Hours, 2pm Zambian time, we're beginning this. Our first lesson is hand stitching and we have a bunch of surprises lined up for y'all. {re}styled is bigger than we ever imagined. And I absolutely cannot wait to show you the first photos of the first product created by these wonderful women.

Thank you for creating this opportunity for empowerment, employment, and sustainable development in Ng'ombe. I wish I could bring each one of you  here to share in these joys, but this will have to do for now.

With great love, Amy

ps. Internet is patchy so I'll try to keep you updated as things happen, but just you know, we're all together, and it's happening.

The Runway

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The time is finally here. Months, years of planning, so many people involved with and supporting the cause, fundraisers completed, and after tomorrow, it all changes. The dream and the vision become reality. After the long wait in the airport, possibly with delays and complications, there's a unique feeling when you're finally sitting in your seat on the airplane rolling down the runway. Like ripples of exhaustion from preparation and dealing with the seemingly less-important details. Like eager anticipation for takeoff. Nervousness even. Excitement and adventure. You're seated and there's nothing else you can do. Bags are stowed, seat backs and tray tables up, you know the whole deal. You can't even be distracted by your electronics at this point. It's just you, your adventure ahead, and the acknowledgment that there's something so much greater than you wrapped up in all of this. You're not the pilot, you're a passenger. You're surrounded by tons of people all sharing a similar drive, but all going different places.

That's where I'm at. Today I'm on the runway, ready for takeoff tomorrow morning at 6am. I invite you to get yourself a ticket, and hope to look around over the next 3 months and see you all seated around me with the common drive of seeing change brought about through Clothed in Hope. Follow CiH on Rally, Instagram, Twitter, anything really so that you can be a part of what's going on. Email me your ideas and suggestions. Share through these sites. Attend our fundraisers. Thank our stateside staff for being amazing.

And lastly, join me. I cannot wait to share with you what's up ahead!

With Love, Amy

It's happening

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One month from today I'll be in Zambia, and all of this planning, blogging, tweeting, fundraising, etc. will take on a completely new meaning. It's happening. The in-country operations are beginning SO SOON, and I couldn't be more excited to share in this next step with y'all. I look forward to being reunited with Elina and her family, along with the other women I met last summer.

I look forward to teaching the first ever personal finance, disease prevention, and skills training seminars in the heart of the Ng'ombe slum compound.

I look forward to hearing more of their stories, learning about their lives.

I look forward to loving.

I look forward to schedules & plans being second to relationships & friendships.

I look forward to being a part of what will happen in these women's lives through CiH.

And I look forward to bringing you with me.

If you haven't read it already, definitely check out Pack Your Bags to learn more of how you can join in this journey. Packing is underway, plans are being solidified (as much as possible), and it's all really hitting me that it's really happening. And my heart is filled with joy. Join us. You won't regret it.

With Love, Amy

Pack your bags...

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Dear friends, As I’m preparing for my trip to Zambia this July, I’ve come to realize and be at peace with the fact that so much is unknown. Out of my control. And that’s normal for that culture, but I’m so excited to see what’s in store for Clothed in Hope, what’s ahead for the lives of the women we care so deeply for. As I begin to get things ready, making appointments, working out the details that I can try to figure out here, I do it with an understanding that this isn’t just my trip.  This Clothed in Hope in-country launch isn’t just my journey. This is an adventure we’re all about to go on, with supporters, donors, graphic designers, video editors, staff, interns, with every contribution of every person who has allowed their hearts to be impacted by the stories of the women in Zambia, to bring hope and see change in the Ng’ombe slum community. I’m so thankful for every single person who is a part of this organization, and would love to invite everyone to come with me to Lusaka, Zambia this trip without even leaving your homes.  And stating the obvious, yes, of course we need funds to continue to grow, but we also cherish our CiH community, our heart. This isn’t the end, or even the beginning of CiH, it’s just another step on an incredible journey. I can’t say for sure what’s ahead. But I can say that I am grateful to get to share every step with every single one of y’all.

So join me on July 24.  Stretch a bit out of your comfort zone for those twelve weeks, allowing your heart to be impacted by the stories shared, experiences blogged about, photos taken, and I promise you won’t regret it. I need y’all, and am blessed by every one of you, whether I’ve met you or not, because you are the ones making it happen.

Practically you may be asking, “Really, what can I DO?” And sometimes it’s awkward asking for help, but it’s necessary. So here are just a few great ways:

  1. Tell everyone you know about this trip. Keep yourself updated with blog posts and such, and let the stories of the women, of Zambia, be heard here in America. Share CiH with your neighbors, communities, friends and family and invite them on this journey with us.
  2. Give. This may sound like a no-brainer, but the more financial resources we have, the more we can do in Zambia with our programming. Maybe you’ve been waiting to give until things start happening, so now’s your chance. The ticket is booked and it’s all absolutely going to happen. Maybe you’ve felt like your contribution wouldn’t be enough. But this is the beauty of it, everyone does what they can, big or small, all making Clothed in Hope what it can be for the women and children of Zambia.
  3. We need your talents. Creative types, marketing gurus, business-minded folks, anyone and everyone, we need y’all to help us keep things running in the US, to keep spreading the word and to help us keep up with our growth. We also need those specializing in finance, disease prevention or public health, education, and life skills to submit mini-lessons to be taught as a part of our skills training program in Zambia this July. Jump in my suitcase with the informational packet you’ve created knowing that YOU will provide valuable educational seminars as a part of the CiH program. That would just be incredible. If you would like to contribute your passion to a greater cause, email me through the Contact form on the website.

Mark your calendars. July 24 we’re all boarding the plane, the 36-hour travel time to Zambia to begin this next chapter of this organization. Don’t miss the flight.

With Love, Amy

Amplify HOPE benefit concert recap

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One week ago at this time of the night, Joey Hyde, Steve Moakler and Brinley Addington were entertaining a crowd at Tin Roof in the Vista in Columbia, SC. With the event in the works since January, it was an incredible feeling to have so much support by not only the USC student body and faculty, but also the Columbia community coming out to the event. Amplify HOPE was an amazing night of raising awareness and over $1,600 towards the launch of the skills training program early this upcoming fall. Thank you to everyone who made this night such a huge success- our interns, volunteers, USC departments and faculty promoting it in their classes, WUSC radio, sponsors, and countless others. We would love to extend a HUGE thank you to Joey Hyde, Steve Moakler and Brinley Addington, along with their band, for coming down to Columbia to play an amazing show benefitting women thousands of miles away. Help us show our gratitude by checking out their music on iTunes, "liking" them on Facebook, and following them on Twitter. Feel free to check out their websites to see when they'll be playing in a city near you if you weren't able to make it out to Amplify HOPE. It's incredible to see what's possible when we come together for the benefit of others. Let's not make this a one-event thing, but let it be the way we live our lives.

If you weren't able to make it or if you want to re-live the fun night, check out our Facebook album.

With Love, Amy

Looking back to look ahead

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On Tuesday, we’ll be celebrating exactly one year of being an official 501(c)(3) charitable organization. But before then, let’s just pause a second to take a look back over the past year. Just one year that has opened eyes and hearts to Clothed in Hope. The organization has spread past me and my efforts, placing the responsibility to do something in the hands of so many others. I have been humbled to be a part of this past year, meeting peers passionate about the cause, parents, businessmen, graphic artists, video editors, just about anyone and everyone who has said “I want to do more” with their talents. Clothed in Hope isn’t just a cause, it’s a movement. It’s a network of people who have rejected the notion that life is meant to be lived alone. It’s a contagious heart that sees the needs of Zambia and chooses to do whatever it can to help.  Sure I’ve put in countless hours for CiH but more than anything, it’s given to me. It’s shown me the beauty of humanity- that we’re all the same and when we come together, anything can happen. That it’s a joy to walk by faith. It’s shown me that people love to give. Maybe it’s not always in the form of monetary donations, but it’s shared Facebook statuses, Twitter mentions, t-shirt sales, invitations to speaking engagements, time, and most beautifully, passions. During 2011, I had the honor of watching everything progress. With every news release, every press coverage of Clothed in Hope, I became more and more hopeful for the future of CiH in the lives of Zambian women. But this past summer, it all came alive. After my journey down the red dirt path hand-in-hand with Elina’s sweet children, both her own and the ones who she’s generously given a home to, I arrived in this house in the middle of the slum community, Ng’ombe, in a cinderblock house seated on a secondhand couch. Doors were open with an afternoon (winter) breeze blowing through. The sun poured in through the barred windows and the light curtains that tried to keep bugs from sneaking in. As chickens ran through the living room with echoes of children’s laughter filling the other rooms, it all became real.

Surrounding me were 5 Zambian women, 4 of them complete strangers to me. They wore their nicest blouses and sat attentively as Elina translated our first meeting together. I’ve been told that it’s going to take years to earn the trust of these women but after sitting with them for just a couple of hours, I’m not so sure I agree with that completely. These women, timid, gracious, humble, hurting yet enduring, full of faith and hope, shared with me, a young American stranger, the hardships of their lives, the oppression of their culture and the hopes they have for the future. I was invited into their lives. I was offered words of encouragement. I was asked questions about my own upbringing. And humbling won’t even begin to describe the feelings I felt that one afternoon. Sitting with these 5 other women hearing about the deep hurts in their hearts and the struggles they face, I realized something.  We are all exactly the same. Sure we’re raised in different environments, with different socioeconomic classifications and whatnot, but we all have fears, doubts, insecurities. But we also all have dreams, hopes, joys, aspirations, laughter, smiles, and love to give.

I could have planned as much as I wanted, and I could’ve typed emails until my fingers fell off, but until I sat there and everything became real, none of it would have mattered. It was in those moments that I was able to see the true heart of Clothed in Hope, one that loves to give and loves to love. One that sacrifices. One that sees a sister, mother, aunt, daughter hurting and must do something to help her. One that notices that life is so much more than what is in front of us. One that sees hope in the little things. One that just busted at the seam that day in June.

When I walked out of that room, saying my see you later’s instead of goodbye’s, I knew that I would walk away changed. Those women have more to offer us than we think we can give to them. And those women are so eager to see life in a different way through Clothed in Hope than they’ve been forced to experience throughout their entire lives. It was my absolute joy to get to know these women, my friends, who told me, “When you leave to come here next year, tell your friends you’re coming home. We will be your family now.” And it is my absolute joy to let you share in this journey to give back to the women who have given everything for their children and who have been told by their culture that they are worthless, meaningless, inhuman. This road isn’t easy; it’s going to be a long one, but I invite you to see that it will absolutely be worth it, every step of the way.

With Love, Amy

Will you join us?

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This semester I have been just overwhelmed with the incredible support here at the University of South Carolina, with students, with teachers, with Columbia residents. I thought I would have to go into these few months working tirelessly to spread the word of hope and opportunity with Clothed in Hope, but the help has been so humbling. It's amazing to see a community come together with one thing in common: a passion for helping others through Clothed in Hope. Whether through over 20 awareness campaigns and a huge sum of contributions from the HRSM 301 Professional Development class with Professor Smiling, or the chance to debut the {re}styled clothing line at the RETL 388 fashion show to generate another substantial sum of donations from the event, I have just been amazed. The word is spreading, the organization is growing, but it doesn't stop there. We need YOU. You can change a life through supporting Clothed in Hope for long-term development. This holiday season, we hope that you'll consider giving a gift that keeps on giving. Will you join us?

Click to watch our newest promotional video!

Love, Amy

{re}styled

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Clothed in Hope is happy to announce the new product line to be manufactured in Zambia and launched worldwide in 2012! The secondhand clothing market dominates the fashion industry in Zambia, with very few alternatives. Zambians pride themselves on physical appearance despite the lack of funds to purchase new brand name clothing. We are excited to be able to support the secondhand clothing industry through recycling t-shirts into {re}styled garments. Get style, give hope. Through the future purchases of {re}styled clothing, Zambian women, similarly to the product, will be able to re-create their lives into something beautiful, something treasured and valued. Each Zambian producer will have a {re}styled product named after her and will sign her name on that product's tag. Your purchase ignites the change. We give the shirt new life, you give the Zambian woman and her children new life.

Featured is the first {re}styled sample. Stay tuned for many to come.

It's official!

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We sent our paperwork into the IRS just two short months ago, and today we received back a few pieces of paper- pieces of paper we've been anxiously waiting for, both in anticipation of the best and preparation for the worst. We're happy to say we've received the best! As of February 21, 2011 Clothed in Hope is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization. We're so very excited to have received this news so soon after our paperwork was submitted and are looking forward to a successful year of preparation for the big move in June 2012. More to come soon about the trip to Zambia that took place a couple weeks back. The vision has been refined, goals are set in place, and the June 2012 timeline is reality approaching quickly. You don't have to wait until June 2012 to become part of the change. Change happens now. Change happens with your help. You have the ability to change the lives of incredible women living in devastating poverty. Will you join us in this cause?