“I am blown away by Destiny Dresses,” declares Brad Jersak, editor and contributor with Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice, author of Kissing the Leper.
To answer the problem of child poverty, especially among little girls, Destiny Dresses receives donations of special occasion dresses (wedding, grad, bridesmaids, etc.), which are lovingly remade by volunteer dressmakers.
Led by Carol Schafer from Athabasca, Alberta, “Destiny Dresses seeks to demonstrate the extravagance of God's love and grace and beauty by providing the poorest little girls in the world with beautiful dresses in Jesus' name.”
“I'm especially looking for dresses in light and bright colours,” says Carol.
“Carol's a friend, trustworthy,” Brad Jersak affirms. “She was inspired by the story of a little girl (10ish?) who sold herself to be married to an old man because he promised her a dress. That should never happen.” Confirming that the girl was 10, Carol says she heard about the girl from Barry Slauenwhite of Compassion Canada who actually said that the girl "agreed to marry a 72-year-old man for the promise of a dress."
“The story of Destiny Dresses began a number of months before I heard Barry tell of this girl,” Carol notes, “but it certainly confirmed that the course of action entrusted to me was to sew dresses for these precious and vulnerable girls wherever they live.”
To raise awareness and share the vision, Destiny Dresses has held one fashion show so far. Hopefully there will be more!
The dressmakers “also remake other gently used articles of clothing into everyday clothes for boys and girls in great need.” On March 3rd, Carol reported to the Facebook group that she had sewn a pair of little girl's cullottes in just over 2 hours. “Feels good to do a quick project! The look of a skirt with the practicality of shorts. Love them!”
In addition to used clothing, Destiny Dresses receives donations of notions: fabric, buttons, lace, and thread. Volunteer dressmakers use the donations to “sew with excellence and purpose because they believe that children are precious, that they reflect the image of God, and that they have a future and a hope through Jesus Christ.”
Clothing by Destiny Dresses is distributed “by various means following ethical practices to ensure that no dress or other clothing is used to lure, entice, or in any way harm a child or any other person.” Individuals and groups get involved with this by taking clothing when they travel, or by donating money for postage and other mailing expenses.
Destiny Dresses cooperates extensively with Compassion Canada’s child sponsorship program. Carol volunteers with Compassion Canada as a Chidren's Advocate.
Destiny Dresses resonates with me, makes me want to cry, makes me want to donate dresses, and gather others to do the same.
Contact Carol through Facebook if you want to donate resources or skills.
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