Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel and Kimberlyn Abbey.
Daniel and Kimberlyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Agape Women’s Ministry was founded in October 2011 in Atlanta, GA. Our mission is to mentor disadvantaged young women and vulnerable girls – with a focus on building their self-esteem, helping them find their purpose, discovering their identity, and giving them the opportunity to learn skillsets that will help them in their communities.
In December 2013, Agape went on its first mission’s trip to Lagos, Nigeria, and Monrovia, Liberia. During our time in Nigeria, Agape donated 100 newborn supplies to the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s maternity hospital in Ogun State Nigeria. While in Liberia, we quickly realized the need for greater assistance with the women and girls we encountered – with 100% of them having survived the civil war and are still dealing with traumas of various kinds. After returning to the U.S., we refocused the organization to include helping disadvantaged young women and vulnerable girls in Liberia, as well as continuing to mentor women and girls in Atlanta.
It is with this passion that the Agape Village Mentorship Program was formed. Our six-session curriculum-based (copyright certified) program caters to the needs of girls who have been subjected to abuse, rape, and injustices of many kinds. Our goal is to help them understand their worth, grow their skillsets, and show them compassion in how we love and care for them. Our curriculum covers six key areas: Forgiveness, Purpose, Parenting, Hygiene, Respect and Identity.
As a part of growing their skillsets, we have launched a clothing line called HOPE House Designs. It is our desire to teach the women and girls who come through the program how to sew with the hope of setting them up for future success in their homes and communities. We host our annual fundraiser and fashion show where we feature clothes made by our design team in Liberia. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of our designs go back into supporting the women and girls and also sustaining the ministry. Our vision is to continue to expand this approach of creating micro businesses for long-term sustainability.
Founders Daniel and Kimberlyn Abbey are both survivors of the brutal 14-year civil war that engulfed Liberia beginning in December 1989. They are passionate about serving and giving to communities in Atlanta and other parts of the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There is so much joy in seeing the lives of the girls we mentor change – in small, but meaningful ways; however, we have had our challenges along the way. Because we are based in the U.S, it is sometimes difficult to coordinate projects with the team in Liberia. There are many moving parts to keeping the organization running – from purchasing and shipping supplies, to receiving them and clearing them through customs in Liberia. Thankfully, we have a few dedicated and loyal individuals who selflessly work to keep the wheels of the organization turning.
We’d love to hear more about the organization.
Agape’s mission is to mentor disadvantaged young women and vulnerable girls. We believe that as much as children deserve an education, they also deserve to be taught how to stand up for themselves and be empowered. Our mentorship program provides them with the opportunity to learn how to value themselves and work towards changing their environment for the better.
In 2017, Agape’s first Mentorship curriculum was approved by the U.S Copyright office. This was/is a huge accomplishment because it means that what we teach our girls has been certified as appropriate and worthy. We are extremely proud of our accomplishments so far.
Since Covid-19, Agape has been working with our team and partners to help bring relief to some of the women we serve in the way of financial support. In addition, we have committed to doing a monthly feeding outreach to communities in parts of Monrovia for the remainder of 2020.
As we look forward to the holidays, our goal this year is to feed at least 300 children on Christmas Day and bless them with toys. We are in the process of purchasing and shipping supplies at the end of October. (more information available on our website)
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
1. Along with our partner organization, Tim Morgan Catering, Agape provided winter coats for 50 adults and children in the Clarkston, GA refugee community.
2. We have the honor of partnering with The School of Prime Systems in Paynesville, Liberia. Each year during our visit to Liberia, we spend time with girls from grades 9-12 teaching them from the Agape curriculum.
3. One of Agape’s mentees received a scholarship to attend college in Rabat, Morocco. She is now in her second year of nursing school.
4. Two of Agape’s girls graduated from high school in 2019 and will be starting college again in a few weeks.
5. Agape launched its small business program in 2019, granting our first loan to a well-deserving young woman who graduated from the mentorship program.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.agapevillage.org
- Phone: (404) 386-6668
- Email: agapevillagelib@gmail.com
- Instagram: @AgapeVillage
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AgapeWomensMinistry
Image Credit:
Agape Women’s Ministry / Agape Village Mentorship Program
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
