Christmas Greetings from Amani!

December 2008

Dear friends of Amani,

As we celebrate the peace of our Lord this Christmas, we also want to celebrate an amazing opportunity He has given us to continue to share His peace globally.

The Amani family has grown tremendously since its inception in 1996. As part of the Amani philosophy, the family always looks to find ways to pass peace to others. In this way, the women of Amani Nairobi reached out to plant centers in Rwanda and Burundi. In recent years, as Amani's message of peace shared through beautiful products has been carried around the globe, we have seen the Amani family grow tremendously in the United States. This partnership has provided stability and growth for the Amani women in Africa. It has also added great diversity to our family where we are mutually impacted by the peace from continent to continent. As a result, the Amani family in Africa has decided to plant another center - this time in the US!

Join us!
Passing peace in this way from Africa to America is a groundbreaking step for Amani and has been met with much excitement and anticipation. This new home for Amani will be located in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Washington DC. Please join us in this celebration of growth as we set up AmaniDC. You can lend a helping hand if you are in the vicinity, donating materials for the offices or retail store, or give a donation to help offset start-up costs. What do we need? Click here for an updated list of items. On Thursday, December 18th, AmaniDC will host an informal, pre-opening event to introduce Amani to the area just before Christmas. If you live in the DC area, please come check out the new location. Bring some cookies to share and your Christmas list! open-house details AmaniDC will open officially on January 7, 2009.

The Amani women in Africa have inspired us to own our part of passing peace on American soil. AmaniDC will be more than just a retail outlet for Amani products; it will be a welcoming space much like its mother center in Nairobi where peace and love prevails. Over the years, we have learned priceless lessons from the Amani women in Kenya. We have learned what it means to love in spite of our differences, to extend grace even when we have been wronged, to forgive our enemies, and, most remarkably, to live in peace and unity together as a diverse and transformed community. We desire for this to be a place where all are welcome. AmaniDC will provide a gathering place for visitors, friends, and customers to share a safe and peaceful haven. We welcome you to come and visit us!

Amani has come to America. In taking this bold step of faith, we owe much to our African sisters who planted seeds of peace in the hearts of women throughout the world. Our African Amani family will continue to walk with this new young Amani center as she grows, modeling what it means to live to in peace and harmony in the DC community. We invite you to join us in this journey.

May you enjoy the abundance of our Lord's peace this Christmas season as we celebrate His birth and work of transformation.

Glory to God in the highest,

Becky Chinchen
Executive Director


PS If you would like to read more about AmaniDC please take a look at our blog.

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If you are interested in donating to set up costs, please click here to give a gift in-kind, or consider donating below. Asante sana!

Experience Sankofa online!

Didn't get to attend one of the Sankofa shows during our US Tour? We'd love to share a glimpse of these remarkable events with you.

You can watch the show online thanks to Forest Hill Church, our hosts in Charlotte, NC. Check it out at: http://foresthill.lightcastmedia.com/console.php?u=3037&c=697757024.
Note: Due to a technical glitch, the narration pieces before each of the three sections of the show are not included in this recording.

Also, here are a few photos of the DC event, courtesy of Jillian Pichocki Photography (www.jillianpichocki.com).

Goretti in Transformation.

Stella in Transformation.

Gladys in Transformation.

Rahab and Goretti in Transformation.

Gladys, Catherine, and Stella in Transformation.

Rahab in Celebration.

Final touches backstage.

Narrators shared vignettes of the experiences women bring to Amani.

Modeling the Pamba Collection.

Thanks to our many volunteers who helped make the US Tour possible.

The Amani family came together in celebration of this momentous occasion!

Looking Back. Walking Forward.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Amani's Sankofa US Tour!

We were amazed by the warm welcome that the team received in Orlando, Dallas, Charlotte, and Washington. The tour was a busy two weeks of shared stories, new experiences, incredible shows, and lots of food and hospitality.

All ten women from Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi have safely returned home. The sign pictured here shows the sign that welcomed the team back to the Nairobi center.

Also, Zoe Sandvig of Prison Fellowship attended the DC area Sankofa event on October 17th. She wrote about her experience for The Point. Check it out here.

Thanks again for joining us in this journey to look to the past and walk to the future!

Sankofa 2008: Look back. Walk forward.

The Amani family is proud to announce that the Sankofa Fashion Narrative will come to the United States this fall!

“Sankofa: Look Back, Walk Forward” will tour the United States in October 2008. The tour will kick off in Orlando, Florida on Oct 4th. Other stops will include Charlotte, NC on Oct. 10th and Washington D.C. on Oct 17th. We invite you to join us in one of these cities to celebrate with the Amani family and support the cause of God’s peace in the world.


“Sankofa: Look Back, Walk Forward” is a high-end fashion narrative produced by the women of Amani ya Juu.

Through brilliant costumes, choreography, lighting and music women from seven countries – Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda – use the fashion runway as their stage to depict courageous journeys from war-torn homes to their new life of wholeness and reconciliation at Amani ya Juu.

Purchase your Ticket online now!!

The women of Amani are thrilled to bring their story to the US through Sankofa. Please consider supporting them by Donating to a few specific needs for the team traveling from Nairobi.

If you live in one of our five host cities, we also invite you to Contact us if you are interested in helping with local preparations for Amani's Sankofa presentation in your area.

Amani Sasa Camp Update

This April Amani had the Amani Sasa "Peace Now" Youth four day camp. The youth traveled to Malewa- Bush Ventures, 2 hours north of Nairobi. The 18 teenagers had been looking forward to the camp for a while. It was a new experience for many - a camp site, thatched shower rooms and dining hall, tents, high ropes course, clean and fresh air and the natural sounds of birds and animals.

Our first day consisted of a CPR (Creating Positive Relationships) short course on the theme ‘Our sexuality is a special gift from God worth respecting and protecting.’ It was relevant and geared towards their age group. The campers interacted and listened to personal experiences by the facilitators from Dawntreader Adventures, Nairobi Chapel and Tanari Trust.

The second and third day offered the teenagers a chance to do low elements as well as the high ropes course. The low elements challenged them in teamwork and assisting others while having fun in the process. The high ropes course challenged them as individuals to conquer their fears. This was a different experience as they took the roles of encouraging those climbing and even those that were afraid to try. They realized that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and together we compliment each other and make a better, peaceful community. For example, the ropes and harness experience caused each camper to realize there are times when we will need to trust those around us. The entire trip was a great success. The teenagers bonded through times of fellowship, exercise and devotions. We also watched environmental documentaries which reminded us of the importance of taking care of the environment.

We would like to convey our heart felt gratitude to everyone who made the camp a success through giving of their time or other resources. May God bless you for making these memories and teachings a reality!

A word from Becky

May 2008

Dear Amani Family –

Thank you for your support to the ministry of Amani. It reminds us of our good and generous God who faithfully provides for our needs. God is our stability in a world absent of permanence.

Amani has experienced the lows and highs of life lately. The death of Charles Mwatha, our faithful keeper of the gate, came as a shock to the Amani family. Our thanks goes to those who have prayed and sent gifts to help his wife, Anna, as she suffers the loss of her husband and faces an even more challenging life without her provider. Women of Amani have been with Anna 24/7 to be by her side during this difficult time reminding her of God’s love.

Thank you for your friendship and support. Your involvement directly impacts us at Amani giving us encouragement and hope.

“…Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In His peace alone,

Becky Chinchen
Executive Director, Amani ya Juu

Charles

April 30, 2008

Dear Amani friends,

This is a sad day for the Amani family. Charles Mwatha (husband to Anna), our faithful gate keeper, was killed on Monday. We are all grieving the loss of someone who was loved by all. Everyone who visited Amani knows Charles because he was the one everyone first met as he opened the gate.

Charles was due to testify in court next week against a policeman who had beat and robbed him last year as he was on the way to the bank with his hard earned savings. Charles’ family had pleaded with him to drop the case, especially after he received several threatening telephone calls, but he was determined to follow through for the hope that justice would be done.

Charles leaves behind his wife Anna and an extended family for whom he was responsible. Please pray for Anna that God’s peace and comfort will carry her through this tragic time in her life. The Amani women are with Anna constantly giving her the love and support she needs.

In His peace,
The Amani ya Juu family

Update from Amani Family in Kenya

January 23, 2008

Amani friends –

Thank you, again, on behalf of all the Amani women in Kenya for your gifts of love during their time of suffering.

We have completed the third distribution of food to 70 Amani women and their families and now we think, barring more major violence rocks the country, they have made it through the worst of it. Their income was seriously interrupted during the post election chaos, the tribal threats put fear in their hearts and the transportation system was either unreliable or took them through dangerous sections of town.

The three distributions were just the kind of “push” they needed until they could return to work at Amani. Now most of the women are back making beautiful products of peace once again. They are also earning an income that will sustain them and their families and praying for peace together with their Amani family.

Alice collects her food
One of the recipients of your generosity, Dorcas, expresses well her response to your love: “Our friends from around the world make us feel like they are sitting right here with us during the heat of the moment.”

Most of the Amani women end up sharing their food with their neighbors. Their neighbors, who have to travel far to find their own food from the Red Cross, are always amazed: “Who is this that brings your food to you?” It gives the women an opportunity to talk about Amani ya Juu.

Zed, of Ethiopia, invented a new slogan with her reply to her friends who were complaining: “Why can’t we have peace!” Zed said: “Amani si Amani without juu” (Peace is not peace without God)

Every day this stalemate between the opposition and the ruling party causes the ethnic divide in the country to grow deeper. No one wants another tribal war that devastated the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Mozambique….


Stories behind some of your gifts towards the Amani food distribution program are astounding!

Yalelete, who used to work in the Amani Garden Café in Nairobi, and her family of 10 children repatriated to Chicago about 2 years ago. They sacrificially gave $300 as a gift to the Amani women!

Goreth, of Amani Burundi, gave not only $100 but is collecting cabbage to transport to the women in Kenya!

Your gifts of prayers are also appreciated.
Rosemary, who has made several trips to Amani in Kenya, prayerfully empathizes with the Amani women:

“Becky, I am finding it hard to concentrate on everyday living when I do not know if my dear friends are safe and well…My heart just breaks for Kenya and especially for the innocent lives who are always caught in the crossfire. I am often reminded of a sentence in the Hotel Rwanda movie where the line is spoken , ‘Americans will lay down their fork and watch what is happening and comment how terrible and then pick up their fork and go on eating’. I do not want to be one of them as my heart breaks and my soul cries out to God for this land and the people I love. Please let me know when you can if my dear sisters, as well as you, are safe. Let us know how we should be praying.
Love and prayers, Rosemary”


Please continue to remember the women of Amani.

• pray for continued safety for the Amani women.
• Pray that the Amani women will speak with a voice of truth as ethnic hate language circulates viciously around their communities.
• Pray that a solution of peace and justice will be found by the leadership of Kenya.


In God’s peace alone,

Becky Chinchen
Director, Amani ya Juu

Amani Friends Respond to Women in Crisis

January 7, 2008

Amani friends,

First we want to thank you for your overwhelming, generous response to the needs of the Amani women during this post election crisis in Kenya! The women are extremely grateful for their Amani friends around the world who have shared with them during their time of need.

Over the weekend we were able to complete a full round of food distribution to 68 families in various parts of the city of Nairobi.

We will begin with another distribution on Wednesday if possible. Country wide rallies are being called by the opposition party on Tuesday which could turn violent. If there is calm on Wednesday the food distribution program will continue until the women can get back on their feet again and return to work at Amani.


The contents of the food package to each family:
-- 2 head of cabbage
-- 4 bananas
-- 2 kg of potatoes
-- 4 oranges
-- 1 pack of salt
-- 2 packs of corn flour (to make ugali)
-- 1 kg of sugar
-- 1 pack of tea
-- 1 kg of rice
-- 8 onions
-- 8 carrots
-- 1 kg of beans (for protein)
-- 8 tomatoes
-- 1 bar of soap
-- 3 tins of charcoal (for cooking)
--kg of cooking oil


The core values of Amani are to live in peace and reconciliation. This is the training the women have received while at Amani.

Below is the letter that was put in each food packet to encourage the women to live out love and peace in their volatile communities.

Dear _______________,
Greetings of grace and peace in the New Year. We are so saddened by what is happening in Kenya. Our hearts are heavy with news of people being killed, displaced and property destroyed. May the Amani ya Juu in our hearts prompt us to reach out in love, peace and forgiveness to those around us. May we remember all the resources we have in Christ – love, grace, peace, forgiveness and prayer – helping us to stand firm in our faith and give us the stability we need during these difficult times. May we rise above the evil that is gripping the hearts of those involved in the violence so we can be a light of God’s peace during this dark hour of Kenya’s history. This gift of food was provided by our Amani friends from around the world. They are also praying for us. We thank God for His provision during such a time of need as this. Our love and prayers to you and your family.


Thank you, on behalf of all the women of Amani.

Becky Chinchen
Director, Amani ya Juu



Emergency Food Distribution Fund:

Violence due to Kenya elections

Dear friends of Amani –

Greetings from Amani in the New Year. We never dreamed we would meet the new year with violence in Kenya over the disputed elections. Kenya has always been a haven of peace for refugees for many years. Never did we imagine that Kenyans would become refugees in their own country. Hundreds have been killed, 75,000 people have been displaced, millions of dollars worth of property has been destroyed – all because of tribal differences.

We are on the brink of a civil war. The images seen on TV are frighteningly similar to Rwanda and Liberia. Kenyans are carrying machetes, wielding clubs with nails and burning people inside churches as they carry out their ethnic cleansing rampage.

Some of you have asked about the Amani women and we thank you for your concern. Many of the areas around the city where the women and their families live have erupted into violence. A number of the women are afraid to venture out of their homes for fear of being caught up in the mayhem. Ruth, who works at the Amani Café, was robbed at gunpoint when she left her home to look for food. The thugs told her to give them all her money or they would shoot her. The husband of Simprosa, who is the sales clerk in the Amani Boutique, tried to go to the local market to buy food but was accosted on the way. Thieves threatened to beat him if he did not part with his watch and money. A sister of Mary Karanja, Amani’s finance administrator, had to move from her house in the middle of the night. She had received word that gangs were going door to door killing people of her ethnic community. We have not heard from Mama Alice, an Amani cook, who lives in Kibera (a slum area on the outskirts of Nairobi where heavy loss of life and property has occurred) and are very concerned about her well being.

Fuel and food, if available, has skyrocketed in price. A head of cabbage, for example, has jumped from 25 cents to $1.25. The women can not afford to buy food at these exorbitant prices so many have gone for days already without food in the house. We need to get food to them urgently not knowing how long this crisis will drag on.

We have put a food distribution plan together and are collecting food from the productive farms north of the city, where it is affordable and available, and transporting it to the Amani center in Nairobi. Today, with $100, we were able to buy enough food to feed 10 families for two days. If you would like to help in this distribution program you can send a gift to:

Amani Foundation
P.O. Box 28133
Chattanooga, TN 37424
*Please write "food distribution" on memo line of your check.

*Or donated online at http://www.amaniafrica.org/shop/item.php?itemID=63

The whole purpose of Amani is for the women to learn how to work and live together in harmony and become promoters of peace in their communities. During this darkest hour of Kenya’s history may the women shine as lights of God’s peace.

In the power of God’s peace,


Becky Chinchen
Director, Amani ya Juu