Breaking the cycle of poverty, one stitch at a time
Our mission is to empower women in Zambia through education and economic opportunity.
We learned that we could eat dinner for less than $1 if we bought day-old scones at the grocery store and dipped them in our jar of peanut butter. We learned that Coca-Cola is cheaper than water, but probably won’t make you feel good if it’s all you drink. We learned how to say hello, how are you, and see you tomorrow in Nyanja. And we also learned that we could really get on each other’s nerves.
Read MoreMark and I just look at each other and utilize our nonverbal sibling communication skills. He’s squirming, I’m squirming. Please just let us type this five-page document to get us out of here sometime today. But we trust, we let him do his thing, and meanwhile I’m going weak in the knees as the day heats up and the cow tongue smell becomes especially pungent in this dark, cramped, busy market stall.
Read MoreMark and I say few words to each other. We’re just soaking it up. It’s not my first time here, but it’s still a lot to take in. And yet somewhere in the midst of all the hustle and bustle and new sights, it has this strange feeling of home.
Read MoreAs we’re gearing up for our Gala for Hope(s) this September, I’ve been pulling tons of Elina photos from the CiH archives. Photos of us together over the past 7 YEARS that I’ve known her. And before we look ahead, dreaming together at our Galas, I wanted to share this story, this incredible story of one simple “yes” making ripples throughout entire communities in Zambia. Not really “my” story, but the story that I get to be part of. A gloriously messy, painfully thrilling, hope-filled, risky, adventurous, faith-filled story.
Read MoreWe are so excited to announce that starting with our first Limited Release on June 12, our handmade products will be sold in small batches.
Read MoreWe're excited to pull that gown out of the back of the closet, dust it off, and get swanky for a night.
But more than that, we're excited to welcome our Zambia Director to the US for the VERY FIRST TIME in her life!! Elina, one of our very first students turned #girlboss extraordinaire, was approved for a Visitor Visa from the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, and will get to see what America is all about.
Read MoreSummer is almost upon us, and we thought we’d share some of our favorite products from the Spring/Summer ‘17 line to kick off the season...
Read MoreThese women blow us away. Not only do they rise above oppression and abuse and all things awful to pave a new path for their entire families by learning a skillset, but they also transform into confident, beautiful, incredibly talented designers and seamstresses in the process. It is SO FUN to witness!! Since we didn't have it in the budget to fly all of you over to Zambia to see it for yourselves this past March, here are some of the highlights of Project Runway: Zam Edition...
Read MoreClothed in Hope participated in this year’s annual University of South Carolina Fashion week, hosted by the Fashion Board! The 10th annual event was held March 20-24.
We love introducing you to the folks who make things happen around here! So friends, meet Megan. She started off as an intern with us and is now on our Social Media Team as a student at the University of South Carolina (go Gamecocks!). She's smart, so kind, passionate, and just really great. Here's a little interview with her to get to know her better...
Read MoreOur landlord thought he could take advantage of our women. We said no way. We packed our bags and moved out of there into a new Kaunda Square facility. We need YOUR help to fund this unexpected change. Just 10 of you to give $10/month will give our ladies safety, running water, electricity, and the message that injustice will not prevail.
Read MoreWhen you purchase an item (ON SALE) from our Curated Valentine's Collection, YOU are telling a woman in Zambia that she is deeply, richly loved. That she matters so much to this world. And, of course, you're telling the person you're giving the gift to - your wife, sister, mother, best friend, yourself - how much they're loved too. It's just a win-win!
Read MoreEvery year we throw a Christmas Party for our ladies in Zambia. This year, with our new location in Kaunda Square compound and formalized program in Muchochoma Village, we had 3 Christmas Parties to throw! And from the reports of our ZamStaff, they were the best ever.
Read MoreThis year-end giving campaign brought us to tears.
Tears of surprise, joy, humility, and gratitude.
You all didn't just give 18k by New Year's Day... You gave $31,006!!!!
Abundantly more than we could ask for or imagine. A huge and incredible gift.
We are just $3,036 away from our goal!
$3,036 away from giving 15 vulnerable women the opportunity to change their lives and lift themselves out of poverty through sewing and business training. Join us today...
Read MoreMaureen has a smile that lights up the room. But that smile took a long time to show itself, due to the hardships Maureen carried into our classroom. She faced difficulties at home in her marriage, financial difficulties, and her family would often find themselves without enough food to eat.
Maureen was a quick learner, and she even brought a Jewelry Making skill to our ladies that she shared generously. She graduated, receiving her Diploma in September 2014, and what a happy day that was
Read MoreJessy is one entrepreneurial woman.
A mother of 5 and grandmother of 6 children, she joined our program in 2012 with the very first group to complete our skills-training program. Jessy appeared to be shy and timid, but we now know her to be a woman of less words spoken because of the many thoughts she's constantly entertaining in her mind - she's brilliant.
Read More7 women. Starting a new chapter of life. That's what happened a few weeks back when I was visiting our program in Zambia. We celebrated the Graduation Day for 7 women who worked to hard to ALL receive Diplomas in Sewing & Entrepreneurship.
Read More"She wore wildflowers in her hair and joy in her heart."
Read MoreOn July 14th we had our first Raleigh, NC event. Chicken & Waffles for HOPE was exactly what it sounds like: a Chicken & Waffles dinner with a Silent Auction and live music. And it was a blast!
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