Braveson’s Gift: Hope Passed On
Debra first met Braveson in 2014, and they have remained in touch ever since. Over the years, she had the privilege of helping him attend agricultural college as a youth and has been supporting him along the way.
Today, Braveson is married, has a young child, and works full-time with Bayer Agricultural Products. He is respected in his field and is also a devoted Christian who has faithfully led his church choir and served in Christian children’s ministry for many years.
Recently, Braveson acquired a collection of tools, along with a sewing machine and a knitting machine. Wanting to give back, he generously shipped these items to Brook of Hope Home in Kabwe as a way of thanking Debra for the support he received in becoming the man he is today.
Braveson posing with the donated items that were shipped.
What a beautiful full-circle moment: a young man who was once helped is now using his success to create opportunities for others. We are deeply grateful for Braveson’s generous and unexpected gift, especially for the good timing of the sewing machine to be used in our new program initative.
In fact, thanks to donations received since the Sewing Hope campaign began, we now have enough funding to purchase a second sewing machine!
Every Stitch Tells a Story
At Brook of Hope Home, we believe that lasting change begins when young people are given the opportunity to learn, create and believe in what they can accomplish.
Through our new Sewing Hope initiative, both girls and boys from the older BHH student groups will learn practical sewing skills under the guidance of a local tailor or seamstress. For most, this will be their first opportunity to sit at a sewing machine, work with fabric and thread, and discover the satisfaction of creating something useful with their own hands.
The first project will have a very special purpose. Students will learn to sew washable sanitary pads, with each girl receiving a set of ten in her own handmade drawstring bag. We are also including a few pairs of underwear. It is common for students not to own any underwear, and obviously they are necessary to hold the pad in place. These simple items can help protect a girl’s dignity and allow her to attend school with greater confidence during her period.
A girl should never have to choose between her education and her dignity. Together, we can make sure she never has to.
Sewing Hope is about more than one project. As students develop their abilities, they will move on to making fabric purses/bags and, eventually, school uniforms for many of our students. These are skills that can lead to independence, income and new possibilities for the future. While a sewing machine may seem like an ordinary tool, but in the hands of a young person who has been given a new opportunity, it can become a doorway to confidence, dignity and hope.
You can support Sewing Hope in three important ways:
Donate. Pray. Share.
Thank you for believing in our students and helping us continue to build futures, one stitch at a time. Every stitch tells a story. This one is only beginning!
With heartfelt thanks,
Debra DiPaola
President, Brook of Hope Home
On behalf of the BHH team
