Fashion Challenge 2020: Stories of Inspiration
At RefuSHE, we are inspired daily by the stories of resilience, courage, and hope from the young women and girls in our care.
As the Fashion Challenge: Reimagined draws near, we’re sharing the stories of the seven young women who served as inspiration for our designers to create their garments. On June 18th, you will see how the girls’ stories were creatively woven into each designer’s runway look and amplified by the hand-dyed fabric crafted by our Artisan Collective. Read on to be inspired!
Marth
Muse for Lagi Nadeau
In 2013, due to political turmoil and violence between military and rebel groups, Marth and her younger sister, Falonne, were forced to flee the Democratic Republic of Congo. Far away from home, Marth and her sister arrived in Kenya, where she began to sell traditional African fabric to earn an income. Unfortunately, one evening when the girls were walking home from work, they were kidnapped and assaulted. After reporting the incident to the police they were connected to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who referred her RefuSHE. Marth and her sister moved into our Safe House.
During her time with RefuSHE, Marth took classes at our Girls Empowerment Program and thrived in the Artisan Collective, where she quickly became an Artisan Leader. As time went on, with support and counseling from our staff, her bubbly and comedic personality began to shine through. She was known as the comedian of the Artisan Collective, keeping spirits light for staff and girls alike. After several years with RefuSHE, Marth and Falonne were resettled to the U.S. in Fall 2019. Martha is 21 and dreams of someday attending nursing school with a special focus on nutrition.
Aimé
Muse for Amy Fenderson
Aimé was just 16 years old when she fled her home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she was held captive by the militia. Upon arrival in Kenya, Aimé was connected to HIAS, a partner organization, who then referred her to RefuSHE. Aimé was enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) in January of 2017.
Now 20 years old, Aimé's favorite class at the GEP is English. She is a member of our Artisan Collective, where her monthly stipend helps her cover rent, food, and supplies for her house. She is incredibly talented and recently took a course in beadwork - her passion. Now, she is able to incorporate beads into her stitching. Aimé's dream is to become a fashion designer one day. When asked about her time at RefuSHE, Aimé shares "I have really grown up here. I have learned responsibility and how to heal so that I do not resent life."
Cecile
Muse for Fraley Le
Cecile was the youngest of 10 children and the only girl in a prominent family with royal lineage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her parents ran a business that provided supplies to the government and they lived a very comfortable life until the war intensified. When Cecile's parents were suddenly killed, so she was forced to flee to Uganda with her brother, his wife, and their three children. Soon after arriving in Uganda, their new home was raided and Cecile lost her brother and sister-in-law. At just 12 years old, she found herself alone and taking care of her three nephews. She packed their few belongings and traveled to Kenya, where Cecile began working for a woman in exchange for shelter. Eventually, the woman could no longer support them, and Cecile and her nephews were kicked out. They connected with the Red Cross, who put them in a hotel for two months until they were referred to RefuSHE's Safe House.
Cecile and her nephews have been in RefuSHE's care since 2015 and are currently awaiting resettlement. Cecile is 15 and her nephews' ages range from 10 - 12. Cecile takes classes at the Girls Empowerment Program and is also a skilled member of the Artisan Collective. Her nephews are all enrolled in nearby formal schools. Cecile is always designing and sewing new outfits and hopes to be a designer in the U.S. one day. She jokingly shares, "I may not be so book smart [her teachers think she is!], but I just know I can make it in fashion." We have no doubt that her creativity and determination will take her far!
Clementine
Muse for Taylor Graves
Clementine is 20 years old and fled her home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to political conflict. After losing most of her family during the war, Clementine was assaulted and became pregnant. She would later give birth to a baby boy. Her journey to Kenya was difficult, as her child was an infant and experienced chest complications along the way. When Clementine and her son made it to Kenya, they were referred to RefuSHE and moved into the Safe House.
Clementine is enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program and is also a member of the Artisan Collective. Her favorite subject in school is mathematics and she is also grateful to have learned how to sew in the Artisan Collective. She feels creative and happy at RefuSHE. Her son, Bosco, is a healthy 4-year-old and is enrolled in the Early Childhood Development Center on campus. Clementine and her son love dancing and listening to gospel music. She hopes to become an air hostess one day.
Jessica
Muse for Kate Van Asten
Jessica is a vibrant 21-year-old young woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She fled her home country due to domestic abuse and regional violence. After facing many years of abuse by her stepfather, she was finally able to flee and make her way to Kenya with her daughter. In 2016, Jessica and her daughter moved into RefuSHE's Safe House. Jessica was soon enrolled in the GEP and her daughter was admitted to the Early Childhood Development Center.
Jessica quickly moved through all 3 levels of the GEP and is now pursuing secondary education. She is a member of the Artisan Collective and also earns an income selling fruit to other girls and staff at RefuSHE. With both incomes, she is able to pay her rent out in the community, keep her family fed, and ensure her daughter can stay in school. Jessica dreams of either becoming an air hostess or a chef at a fine dining restaurant. Her daughter, who is the top of her class, dreams of growing up to become a doctor. When asked about her studies Jessica shares, "I can achieve anything that I set out to do." She added, "Education builds women into who they become in the future."
Bersherb
Muse for Xochil Herrera Scheer
Bersherb, who is 18 years old, fled Eritrea in 2012 with her mother due to religious persecution. They were an openly Christian family living in a predominately Muslim neighborhood. Once they arrived in Nairobi, her mom found some work at a salon, and Bersherb worked as a house girl to help cover their costs for rent, food, etc. Her mother met a man who promised to help them, but things took a turn for the worse and her mom became pregnant with Bersherb’s younger brother. Eventually, Bersherb was referred to the UN Refugee Agency, who connected her to RefuSHE.
Bersherb was quickly enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program, where she took classes in literacy, mathematics, science, and vocational training. She is now a proud leader in our Artisan Collective and pursuing secondary school in the evening. Bersherb shares that "Today I am a better person, a good decision maker, a more focused girl, because I have people who understand me and support me. I have a strong conviction that I can do much more with my life thanks to the education and care I received at RefuSHE."
Solange
Muse for Concetta Cipriano
Solange is originally from Burundi, where she lived with her two parents and two brothers. In 2015, just a few days before the national election, there was a big shooting in Solange's hometown. The next night her home was invaded and her entire family was killed. Thankfully, Solange was enrolled in boarding school at that time and was safe from the attack. Upon hearing the news, her godfather arranged travel for Solange to Kenya. When she arrived, she met a Kenyan woman who took her in for a short period of time. This didn't last long, though, and the only place Solange had left to go was a young boy's home who lived with his three elder brothers. She was the only female in the house, which wasn't safe for her. Eventually she heard of UNHCR who referred her to RefuSHE's Safe House.
After five years with RefuSHE, Solange is currently in the process of resettlement with support from the advocacy team. She is also a skilled tailor in the Artisan Collective and loves modeling in the fashion shows on campus. Her favorite subject to study is English - she's fully fluent! Caleb attends our Early Childhood Development Center and enjoys music and singing. Solange shares that RefuSHE saved her life and, now that she is in a healthy place physically and mentally, she just wants to be a good mother to her son. Solange dreams of one day becoming a professional nurse.