A Dream // And a Step

I’ve had a lot of questions about my post two weeks ago hinting at where my business is going this year, so i thought i’d share a little more about one of my dreams.

I think it’s hard to talk about your hopes and dreams isn’t it? It’s vulnerable. Its real. It’s sharing a part of your soul.

To be honest, I don’t really dream of success. I don’t dream of making my business bigger, or being the biggest best pattern company in the world, though obviously those things would be awesome. I am a Christian, and my dreams are for people, for humanity and human rights. Not wealth, success or fame.

For a while, our sewing patterns were produced locally in Perth in a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities. What does that mean? It means that people who otherwise couldn’t find work because no-one would hire them, work in a safe protected environment doing work at their skill level. People who work there have pride, and hope and security. And every time my patterns were delivered to me, I got to talk to many of them first hand, and see what that looked like. And it was awesome, I cried after every delivery. I think the greatest gift you can give someone is the ability to look after themselves with dignity and security. I think that’s better than charity as we often experience it, faceless money changing hands. And where does it all go? I believe in empowering people, in really seeing them, and giving them work and a life. I loved it, but unfortunately as my business grew, this unique and valuable organisation couldn’t keep up with the level of production.

That was almost two years ago. Since then, I’ve had a dream. The one i keep in my heart, and save for when i’m falling asleep at night, and almost never talk about though it consumes my thoughts.

I make patterns because i love designing clothing, but i dream about helping people. My children are safe, and loved and have a world of opportunity in front of them. Their futures are bright and hopeful. But other women and other children don’t live like that, not even close – and it makes my heart bleed.

Deep breath. I dream of opening my own sheltered workshop oneday. I dream of opening a sheltered workshop in one of the many countries where women and children are stuck in the disgusting life of human trafficking and sex slavery. My heart is broken for them and their constant, daily suffering. I dream of their freedom, and pray that one day i can help in some way by providing safe work, safe homes, a better option for communities. Choices. I want to be a part of that.

But this idea has stayed a dream, because it’s so big, I’m not there yet. I didn’t even have a first step.

Then a few months ago i met a couple at church who work with an organization that do the very thing i have dreamed of doing! Seriously. My head exploded and i did a happy dance. It took me all of 3.5 seconds to figure out a way that we could work together.

They provide safe and sheltered employment, health care and child care to women who have escaped the sex trade in India- all at a fair wage. Right now they make organic fair trade tshirts and bags, and are working on expanding so they can support more women.

So here is my small, but significant step. Right now we are finished with the design stage, have begun manufacturing and soon will be releasing a line of tshirts to support this amazing cause! I AM SO EXCITED> i really can’t wait! There won’t be any profit. I don’t care. Being a part of providing work, and safety and hope is the most amazing thing ever. I don’t know where this will go exactly, but i’m so excited to be making a small start on a big dream! To be making a small stand in a big world.