Artisan Report: Emerge Global
Image: KeapSake
Image: Emerge Global
Beads of Change
Emerge Global was started by Alia Whitney-Johnson after going to Sri-Lanka on a Tsunami-relief trip in 2005. Only 19 herself at the time, meeting other girls her age and younger living in shelters after fleeing from sexual abuse and exploitation would have been overwhelming and confronting.
On my own visit to the Emerge office in Colombo, Sri Lanka I had to hold back tears. The stories I heard were heartbreaking. Girls as young as ten caring for babies – fathered by their rapists. Girls who’ve been cut off by their families, because their relatives blame them, and can’t cope with the shame of abuse. Girls too traumatised to speak.
Alia, an expert jewellery-maker since age seven, decided to teach these girls the craft as art therapy and self-expression. Soon, as the children began creating brilliant designs, for the first time they began smiling and talking. The girls learn how to bead - but they also feel it's therapeutic value. It helps them to focus and to open up to colours and intricate designs. They slowly learn to grow, for what girl doesn't like beautiful, sparkly things?
Committed to not only helping the girls but empowering them, Alia later landed a $10,000 grant from the World Bank to develop a non-profit organisation called Emerge. Emerge supports Sri Lankan girls, ages 10-18, who have been removed from their homes due to past abuse or the threat of abuse and are courageously testifying in court. These girls are placed into shelters that typically lack resources and educational opportunities.
Emerge partners with these shelters to transform them into “entrepreneurship hubs,” where girls are taught to be self-sufficient. They’re exposed to a comprehensive curriculum that emphasises leadership, life skills, and business knowledge, while simultaneously generating a financial foundation for each program participant through the creation of unique jewellery. For the teenagers who are either in the process of testifying against their abusers or are in the custody of the shelters until they are eligible to leave at 18, the jewellery they make is often among their cherished few achievements.
What really inspires me about Emerge Global is that Alia has developed an innovative and sustainable business model for impact. To facilitate economic empowerment of the girls, Emerge Global teaches the girls beading. The beautiful, handcrafted products are then sold globally, with profits returning back to the girls and for investment in community education programs. Each $1 investment in materials creates more than $3.80 in savings for their girls.
To date, Emerge Global has sold tens of thousands of beaded jewellery, helping hundreds of girls and their family members. KeapSake is proud to support their work by helping Emerge Global sell more of their gorgeous pieces.
Images and text courtesy of Emerge Global