This story starts with 32 year old Michelle from Congo. Michelle never got to go to school when she was young. She had older siblings, but she was the only girl, and her parents decided she didn’t need to be educated.
She had to help the family and work the farm. Michelle recently lost her husband and found herself struggling to provide for her 3 young children. As a single mom without any education, Michelle needed help.
I first heard this story at a small store in Laguna Beach, where a Fair Trade organization named The Peace Exchange was hosting a trunk show to raise money for women in Congo. I was invited by Katie Bond. I simply knew Katie as one my favorite spin and yoga teachers at ‘Art of Fitness’ in Laguna Beach. Little did I know that Katie is also a well-educated woman who had dedicated her life to empowering women in third world countries. I figured it was time to sit down with this inspirational Laguna Local and ask her to share her wonderful story.
The Peace Exchange is a non-profit organization that provides sewing jobs for about 60 women in Congo. The women create products such as: napkins, aprons, yoga mats and beach and shopping bags, which are sold in the United States. The money raised is used to pay the women so they can provide for their families. “The women who enter our program have often lost their husbands in the war and/or are the victim of terrible war crimes,” Katie says, “We teach these women how to use the sewing equipment and make basic items. After going through sewing training with a partnering non-profit Action Kivu/ABFEK, the women get a choice. They can choose to take the sewing machine and have their own business making outfits for the women of the community, or they can chose to be part of our fair trade program The Peace Exchange. We help empower the women by providing them with good jobs and offering them opportunities for education.” Going back to 32 year old Michelle; she became a seamstress with The Peace Exchange. She is now able to provide for her family and is even going through the literacy program supported by ABFEK, a partnering Congolese non-profit. “She is fully dedicated to keeping her kids in school -especially her daughter- so they will be able to provide for their families when they grow up,” Katie says.
A couple of times a year Katie travels to Congo to do hands-on work and interviews with the 60 women who work for the The Peace Exchange in Bukavu and Mumosho. In Mumosho the organization owns a beautiful A-frame house with a sewing machine for each of the 45 seamstresses upstairs, and offices and dorms downstairs. Some women stay at the house for a while so they can get counseling and help with the healing process after a traumatic event. The Peace Exchange also employs a male seamster. He is married with 4 kids, and as Katie puts it, “he is awesome!” She explains that ‘we want to make sure that the women know that not all men are corrupt’. They also recently hired their first deaf seamstress. Katie smiles as she says: “The women have become such a close family that they are now all learning sign language!”
It has now been two years since Katie was first asked if she wanted to take over The Peace Exchange. At that time Katie had already worked with many non-profits and she said she would consider the offer. If she still had any doubts about this undertaking, they quickly vanished when she met Amani Matabaro from Congo. Amani lost both his parents when he was young. He decided to dedicate his life to help fight against the war and genocide in eastern Congo. The Peace Exchange is one of the many non-profits he initiated. Katie recalls: “I met Amani and we hit it off so well. He was instantly like a brother to me and after that it was a done deal! I didn’t realize how much work it was going to be, but even knowing all I do now I would have still said yes.”
The Peace Exchange is currently getting their International Fair Trade Certification. “The guidelines we have to adhere to are very strict and we are trying to go above and beyond to treat the women fairly -to pay them well, give them clothes and create a safe and responsible working environment-,” Katie says, “We want to make it so that they love to work for us.” “What is your vision for The Peace Exchange and the future?” I asked Katie. “Ultimately, we would like to be in 7 different countries. We are planning to expand into Nepal next and hopefully South America after that,” Katie responds.
So what can Laguna locals do to help The Peace Exchange? “People from Laguna Beach have amazing hearts and they are very philanthropic,” Katie says happily, “They have truly embraced this cause. In fact, out of our 13 board members, 7 are from the Laguna area. . If people wish to help they can: organize a Trunk Show -so we can sell our products-, buy products online via the website www.ThePeaceExchange.com, volunteer when a new shipment arrives, or donate funds to our organization for things such as sewing machines and start-up kits. $250 buys a sewing machine and all the items needed to set a seamstress up for a successful work environment.”
Are you interested in getting involved with The Peace Exchange? Visit the website www.thepeaceexchange.com for more information and to access the online shop.
You can also learn more and buy products at the next Trunk Show, which will be hosted during the Artwalk on August 7th by Vertigo Home (1550 S Coast Hwy #101, Laguna Beach).
Update 3/25/15: The Peace Exchange needs your help! Help fund a new Sewing Center in Congo by donating to their new KickStarter Campaign! The KickStarter campaign goal is to open a second sewing center this year, doubling their artisans and giving these families a chance to truly survive.
About Jaleesa Peluso
Jaleesa Peluso is a Laguna Beach Realtor® who specializes in coastal homes and luxury home marketing. For more information about Orange County or Laguna Beach Real Estate, visit: www.jaleesapeluso.com
Contact: (949) 395-0960 or Jaleesa@JaleesaPeluso.com