Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~Anais Nin
If Anais Nin was correct, then folks, there’s a galaxy up in here—new worlds exploding with every hand I’ve held since arriving, every hug I’ve received, every story I’ve heard.
This country is brimming with stories, and while the beauty of the landscape here is quite breathtaking, it’s the stories that reside in the people here—the stories they are so proud to tell—that truly give this country its beauty. Yesterday, we heard the most painful ones—the stories of the past, the atrocities of the genocide, the memories of survivors that are retold almost in a whisper, the pain still unmistakably present. We walked through the church at Ntrama where only 20 years ago 5,000 Rwandans—men, women, children, babies—were slaughtered. Their skulls and bones are lined up on shelves in the back of the church, the clothes they were wearing hanging from rafters above broken windows and walls demolished by grenades. The agony so many people in this country have faced is incomprehensible, and the past can never be forgotten.
But it can be rewritten, and in just our short time here so far, we’ve seen an incredible glimpse of a beautiful story that is being rewritten, page by page.
I couldn’t help but remember a song today—a song I haven’t thought about in a long time, but it was meaningful to me a few years ago—Sara Groves’ Add to the Beauty.
Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are…
It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find its worth…
And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story…
The people of Rwanda are telling a better story, finding redemption in forgiveness, love, community and determination like I’ve never witnessed before in my life.
And today? Good heavens. Let me tell you about a better story. And you might as well go get a cup of coffee.
We were welcomed this morning by the team at Rwanda’s International Justice Mission office (which I’ll call IJM for the rest of this post) where Chantal, the field office director, began with her own personal story. She told us how she dreamed as a little girl of becoming a lawyer someday because of the injustice she witnessed but soon lost interest in justice because, as she described, “I thought it was an illusion.” She ran from her dream but over time decided to rewrite her story, returning to pursuing justice, graduating from law school and working with IJM where, in Rwanda, they are currently rescuing victims of child sexual violence and helping to rehabilitate and empower their families. She told us that 10% of Rwandan girls reported having been victims of sexual abuse within the past year in 2009 and that sexual violence on the way to school is among the main deterrents keeping girls from getting an education here. Not the bus schedule, not tuition fees, not a curriculum they don’t agree with—we’re talking babies’ lives.
We learned about the work IJM is doing—the children they’ve rescued, the perpetrators brought to justice, the statistics that are slowly getting better because someone intervened and spoke up for the voiceless, telling them that injustices against them would not be tolerated because they’re so worthy of more. We heard about a better story being written for these children and their families.
Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces…
It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find its worth…
Two of IJM’s clients are Noonday artisans, one of whom lost her husband and needed help fighting to keep her home and one who found her neighbor sexually assaulting her 6-year-old daughter four years ago. That’s right, I said six. Neither of these women could afford a lawyer on their own and were helpless in pursuing justice and consequently in feeling safe. IJM intervened, provided lawyers, brought the perpetrators to justice and granted assistance and counseling to victims and helped them find work with Noonday’s sewing co-op so they could provide for their families.
We met these women today with their friends, and between the hills and rooftops of the city–in a large sunlit space scattered with shiny black sewing machines and whiteboards on the wall displaying welcome messages—we found redemption. Souls that have found their worth.
Empowerment is one of those words like authentic, organic or brave—thrown around and overused so that the real cases of authenticity and bravery and empowerment are lost in the shuffle. But what we saw today was true empowerment—women with purpose, women who’ve healed, women who aren’t letting someone else rewrite their story but who are given hope and tools and opportunities so that they can rewrite their own.
Something I’ll never forget? Walking off the bus today in front of the Noonday co-up and into the arms of artisans who lined up to welcome us, so proud to show us their work and tell us their stories. We designed accessories together this afternoon—American writers, Rwandan artisans, united sisters in creativity and laughter and our hopes to be heard and seen; for someone to recognize our soul’s worth.
For all the times I thought Project Runway would be a fun experience (that is, of course, if they ran a glue-gun-instead-of-sewing-machine season, which, I’m first in line if they do), I can tell you for certain—today kicked its ass. For one, I’d love to see Tim Gunn start a sewing challenge with dancing.
Want a peek at today?
Noonday Collection music: artisan song
Our stories are never over. While our past cannot be erased, it can be rewritten. And we’re never alone in that process—we find redemption in community when writing our own stories, and we become community for others writing theirs.
One of IJM’s staff members, Melissa, introduced our day with these words this morning: “There are little girls all over the world who are told no one cares about you, no one knows, no one’s listening, you’re never going to be helped. That’s simply not true. We’re listening.”
And by following along on this trip, you’re listening too. Thank you for that.
You can continue to receive updates for our Style for Justice trip by signing up here.
And if you’d like to learn more about what Noonday Collection and IJM are doing to create opportunity, empower people around the globe and to be more involved in this mission, please click below.
Life with Kaishon says
I am thrilled that you are listening to their stories.
Cathy says
Oh my, I miss reading your posts for a few months and you are off on a mission. May you be blessed as you tell the stories of these women.
Annie Love says
So much beauty in shared stories. I’m so glad you’re part of this amazing experience and sharing it with us x
Jennifer Hoppins says
This story woke me up and filled my heart and soul. How beautiful the work and the people who are reclaiming purpose and believing in the power of community to heal.
Carey King says
I love seeing these trips, anywhere in Africa. The need is so great all over Africa and it makes me so happy to see more and more people from all of the world getting involved. Also, aside from poverty and crime the thing most common is the smiles through every African nation:)
Argyrie says
This trip will change you forever. Their stories and songs are haunting. The landscape majestic. I love the colorful fabrics and warm hearts despite adversity.
becky says
Kelle, when you say that IJM “are currently rescuing victims of child sexual violence and helping to rehabilitate and empower their families”- what does ‘rescuing’ entail? Hopefully not taking them from their families. Can you shed any light on this?
Abbey says
I have been an avid follower of yours and of Emily from JDC… so amazing to see you and her in your video! Brought chills…
So happy and inspired by your words and pictures!!! I am listening….
Always – Abbey
Brittni Hayes says
This is such an incredibly moving and powerful post. Hearing those painful stories, as difficult as it may be, prevents those moments from experiencing erasure. The power of storytelling is undeniable, and the past will always interact with the present. Keeping these stories from falling into silence allows positive intervention in the future. Thank you for this.
Flower Patch Farmgirl says
We are listening. YES!!!
We have to care about this, even when it’s easier to pretend it’s not our problem.
“women who aren’t letting someone else rewrite their story but who are given hope and tools and opportunities so that they can rewrite their own.” – beautifully said.
And allow me to be the first to sign the petition requiring Tim Gunn to trademark a signature dance move.
Thinking of you every single day. Praying for you, too.
6512 and growing says
What an opportunity. Glad you are there to witness and share.
Moosefan says
“Those that forget the past are doomed to repeat it”.-George Santanyana
I hope you never forget what you have seen and the stories you have heard so that you may share with others about the importance of education, fair trade and fair wage. .
ellie says
What an amazing journey you are on. Thank you for sharing with us here.
I highly recommend, for any who are interested, the book The Locust Effect by the founder of IJM. Searing, powerful, deeply moving, invigorating, inspiring. A must read, it truly is, about how the poor of the world live.
Unknown says
This is a response for Becky, though I can’t figure out to attach my comment to her question. I work on IJM’s marketing staff in the US.
In cases of sexual violence against children “rescue” means to ensure that the child is safe from the perpetrator (including moving to a safe home if the child is in further danger at home). IJM then provides pro bono legal counsel to investigate cases in order to help arrest & prosecute the criminals. We also provide the survivors with trauma therapy and support their families so children can heal in a safe/stable environment. On the other side, IJM is working to strengthen the local justice system by providing training and hands-on mentoring to law enforcement, judges, medical & other professionals, as well as advocating for reforms to the court process in order to protect children.
I hope that helps explain it. You can go here to learn more about our work in this particular area: http://www.ijm.org/casework/sexual-violence-against-children
Our other casework types include sex trafficking, slavery, property grabbing, police abuse of power, and citizenship rights abuse. Learn more at http://www.ijm.org.
Thanks!