Her-Story; Elli Rose

Her-Story; N’Mamah

Her-Story; Ruth

Her-Story; Zenya

Her-Story; sveta

Her-Story; svitlana

their-Story; valik, dima, vadimare

Elli-Rose’s Place is a wing dedicated to the memory of Elli-Rose Bartel. Elli was just 15 years old when she was tragically killed in a car accident. It was her dream to live in Ukraine and work with orphaned children. A quote from Elli: “Ukraine was so great. I loved it there. My dream is to startup an orphanage... all day I would cuddle and love the kids.” With the recent unrest in Ukraine, separatists have occupied part of the territory close to Mariupol. 25 children, refugees from this area, have been relocated to Novovolynsk and are now living in the Elli-Rose’s Place orphanage wing. They were very exited to see the place and it’s beautifully painted walls. Sewing Seeds has been partnering with Kovcheh church in preparing this facility. Pastor Sasha says, “We've told them the story about why this place is called by a girl named Elli-Rose. Now, they ask to stay longer. They are happy to be here. And we are glad that together with you, we have this great chance to serve these children. Elli's Place became alive and we hope this is a start for its good future.”

N’Mamah was in our very first sewing training program in Lungi, Sierra Leone. She graduated at the top of her class and immediately presented us with a business plan. She began with just one sewing machine, and within a year had increased her business to include 4 machines and was training others in the community. She has been involved in our train the trainer program as a supervisor, as well as being a part of our micro-credit loan initiative. N’Mamah has two shops, with 10 machines that she has purchased with the profits from her business of sewing custom orders for women and men all over the country. She is an entrepreneur at heart and wants to expand her business and set up a sewing training center. Her latest endeavor was purchasing an embroidery machine to help build her business by offering unique clothing designs

Ruth was our top seamstress in our Grafton, Sierra Leone sewing program. She learned quickly and was soon helping others in the class with their projects. After graduating from the Beginner and Intermediate programs at SSI, she purchased three more sewing machines and trained others from the community to help expand her business. Ruth has consistently multiplied every opportunity that has come her way and is a pillar in the community

Zenya was in our first Sewing Seeds training program in Ukraine. It had always been her dream to become a seamstress. Years earlier, she had entered a sewing trade school, but was unable to finish when she became a single mother. Zenya joined the New Life church in Lviv when she met and married an ex-drug addict who became a part of their prison ministry. Sewing Seeds has partnered with New Life in starting a sewing ministry and Zenya says, “It is a great blessing to me.” Now, she not only sews clothing for herself and her daughter, she helps and teaches others. She co-leads this sewing ministry. Just recently her husband, Volodya, has taken ill and she is responsible for providing for her growing family. It is a dream come true for Zenya to be a part of the Sewing Seeds-New Life training centre in Lviv, Ukraine.

Sveta has a remarkable story of redemption. She comes from a large family. Sveta, her three siblings, and their nephew were taken in by Pastor Sasha and the Ark (Kovcheg) church in Novovolynsk, Ukraine. This family went through the hardship of losing several family members to addiction. Sewing Seeds met Sveta and her siblings over ten years ago when they partnered with Pastor Sasha in constructing Elli-Rose’s Place. She was 19 at the time and was living at the orphanage, assisting in caretaking of the children. Today, she is married to a graduate of the church’s rehab program, has her own small children, and works full time for the orphanage in the capacity of coordinator of children’s programs. She is an active member of the Ark church and community. Sveta’s life has been impacted by Sewing Seeds and Elli’s heart for children.

Svitlana was in our Advanced Sewing Training program this past summer in Sarny, Ukraine. Sewing Seeds is partnering with Gloria Ministries to offer advanced, complementary sewing training to their top students. Students are chosen according to their abilities, and inclination towards entrepreneurship. Svitlana was at the top of her class, and demonstrated excellence in skill, and leadership qualities. After completing the program, she was offered a job with the ministry and her position includes designing tailor-made bridesmaid dresses, skirts, and suits. Svitlana comes from a large family and spends much of her time fixing and altering her own family’s clothing. She was one of five students chosen for an extended business opportunity. Sewing Seeds is indeed having an impact on the lives of the students in Sarny, Ukraine.

Valik, Dima, and Vadimare three boys from Novovolynsk, Ukraine, who were abandoned by their parents. In the Ukraine, 85% of institutionalized orphaned boys end up in jail and 70% of girls end up in prostitution. Sewing Seeds has partnered with Pastor Sasha and the Ark church to provide a facility and a team of people devoted to selflessly caring for and attending to the needs of the orphaned or abandoned children in their community. Valik, Dima, and Vadim have grown into gracious, caring men as a result of being supported by a loving community. They are part of our growing family. Sewing Seeds supports the children in this community in their future endeavours.