In honor of this International Women’s Day, I want to share the story of Espe.

At 19, Espe is the mother of a 7-year-old girl who attends our Congo Restoration primary school for girls. Espe was raped when she was only 12, then abandoned by her family and community.
 

Our Congo Restoration family took her in and now, she is one of 40 students attending our six-month sewing school program. After she graduates, she will start her own business (as 99% of our 700+ graduates have done since we opened the school in 2010). She will be able to support her young daughter, who is continuing her own journey toward college through the education she is receiving at our primary school. 

Espe, pictured here with Congo Restoration Founder Gorethy Nabushosi, says she can’t wait to graduate and that she is very proud of all she is learning at the sewing school.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the women reading this … and to all the women and girls like Espe and her daughter whom your love and support are lifting up in Eastern Congo. The magic being made is absolutely beautiful.

Many blessings on this special day,

Dawn McMullan
Chair of the Board