Today we’d like to introduce you to Doris Mukangu.
Doris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Refugees coming to start a new life in America face numerous barriers in accessing much-needed resources in their resettlement process. I co-founded Amani Women Center in 2016 when I came across refugees facing challenges tapping into resources that are available for them as they try to acclimate into their new environment.
Some of the challenges include linguistic, literacy, financial and cultural to name a few. There are numerous gaps that exist in these services and programs that are culturally sensitive and appropriate. Amani Women Center a nonprofit has evolved over the years to provide more holistic services and programming for the wellbeing of refugee families.
The uniqueness of our services is an empowerment angle through our Amani Sewing program which provides sewing skills that lead to employment and therefore self-sufficiency of refugee women. This program looks like the United Nations with a kaleidoscope of women from Congo, Nepal, Burma, Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.
Upon graduation, the women participate in our social enterprise Johari Africa which provides them a platform to showcase their newly acquired skills as well as an opportunity to get their products out to the marketplace. www.johariafrica.com
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been quite a bumpy road. With very limited resources we embarked on establishing a sewing academy for refugee ladies.
We did not anticipate the layers of challenges of getting the program started including transportation for the women to and from the sewing center, adding a team of instructors who need pay, renovating of space to meet the needs of the sewing class, children care amongst other things.
Funding continues to be a challenge to keep the program running.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Amani Women Center story. Tell us more about the business.
Our organization is a non-profit that offers culturally appropriate empowerment programs to refugee families residing in Clarkston, Georgia.
We are mostly proud of providing opportunities and a platform for refugees to learn and showcase their talents, therefore, telling a different story of resilience and triumph.
We are unique in that we provide culturally tailored programs that provide long-term solutions to refugee women in providing them an avenue for employment options that lead to self-sustenance.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We foresee the potential for enrolling hundreds of refugee women and girls who are interested in entering the fashion and design industry.
There is a shift in the perception of perceiving sewing skills as a hobby or a domestic chore but a skill that can translate to a lucrative career.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3550 Clarkston Industrial Blvd Clarkston, GA 30021
- Website: www.amaniwomencenter.org
- Phone: 678-793-0466
- Email: doris.amaniwomencenter.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaniwomencenter/
Image Credit:
Reggie Erawoc
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