We are honored and thrilled to announce that Robin Wright has chosen Action Kivu as one of two organizations to receive the profit of sales from her new sleepwear line through socially-conscious sleepwear company Pour Les Femmes. Robin met Action Kivu founder Amani Matabaro on a visit to eastern Congo, and has since supported his work with the community there, using her voice and celebrity platform to raise awareness, and giving her time, energy, passion, and money, to people who are too often overlooked. She documented her visit over at The World Post, noting:"The women from the Action Kivu sewing center also came out to meet us and asked that we carry their message of triumph and hope back tothe U.S. What they were most looking forward to was the completion of Amani's ongoing project--the Peace Market."Mumosho is a small village located about 16 miles from Bukavu, situated right on the border with Rwanda, which means it is 16 miles away from the nearest market. Therefore, the women of Mumosho were forced to walk for hours to purchase basic goods, including food, soap, and clothing. And during their trek through the forest, they were vulnerable to attacks from the roving militias, including the FDLR. As a result, many women simply did not make the journey for fear of being raped or shot, and the community in turn suffered."Now, less than a year after we visited Mumosho and saw the beginnings of the Peace Market, it is built, complete with a roof to protect people from the rain, and a place of refuge and shelter for the community."
Later learning of the need for latrines at the Peace Market, essential to prevent an outbreak of cholera, Robin promptly donated the funds needed to build the toilets. Her compassion and generosity have made an indelible mark in the lives of the women and children in eastern Congo. And she continues to do so, through this beautiful line of sleepwear, and invites you to make a difference, too.Visit plfdreams.com to learn more about the pajamas and to purchase. 100% of profits are going to Action Kivu and Synergie Des Femmes, to support the women of Congo!
Read more about Action Kivu's work in Congo here:
- Give a Goat! (or Chicken): Animal Husbandry in Congo
- Maombi's Sewing Story: Designing a Life of Dignity
- Claudine on Coming Back to Life & the Sewing Workshop
- Sewing students and grads: Cikwanine | Cozi | Ernata | Safi | Amie | Bienvenie | Evelyn
- The women and girls in the literacy program & Marhonyi, one of the literacy course teachers
- The women learning agriculture lessons on the shared farm & a second shared farm at the Mumosho Women's Center
- The community conversation (women AND men!) on the importance of family planning and contraception
- The women who weave beautiful baskets
- The school kids: girls at the top of their classes
- Meet Amani, community builder, leader, and visionary! Watch the video to experience his corner of Congo here.
(Photo courtesy Pour Les Femmes)