Let them know it's Christmas time again
Let them know it’s Christmas time again.
I have an epic story to share, but first I need to set the stage a bit.
In case you aren’t already aware, Beza Threads helps girls escape human trafficking in Ethiopia.
Freedom is an ongoing journey more than a one-and-done destination. Survivors need dignified employment (aka fair treatment and a livable wage) in order to stay free.
So we (Beza Threads) sponsor one of many employable skill training centers: leatherworking.
It’s a continuous cycle, but essentially - a girl escapes from exploitation and then she enters a year-long program to receive safe housing, food, clothing, medical attention, trauma centered counseling, life skills training, financial literacy training, AND job skill training.
Phew - that’s a lot. But it’s important to grasp just how holistically and drastically lives are impacted.
From the POV of a leather bag, here’s how it works:
Each bag is handcrafted by a student who escaped trafficking - and is now a survivor. She’s learning an employable skill, one that will help her lead a self-sustainable life. Every bag she makes is an opportunity to practice her skill, gain confidence, and continue to believe in herself.
It’s an incredibly empowering experience.
–that’s the present impact–
Each bag is only made possible because the previous bags, made by previous students (now graduates) were sold by Beza, allowing the financial funds to help current students become survivors.
–this brain teaser is how each bag is connected to the past–
Sling-shot forward with me: when bags made by current students are sold, they will generate income for more girls and women to escape the trauma of forced prostitution.
...and...AND! Those future survivors are most likely going to come into our program because former graduates will tell. them. about. it.
–that present impact is #chills–
A way is being made for them, and they don’t even know it yet.
(It’s okay to tear up… I know I do.)
So when we tell you every purchase matters… it’s God’s honest truth.
Now for storytime.
(I know it was a ride getting here, but setting the stage mattered -- so thanks for hanging with me.)
As you’re well aware, we’re drawing dang close to the holiday selling season. Some would even say we’re already in it… but it definitely peaks around Black Friday.
Part of my job with Beza is to help get our leather products to retailers and business owners with gifting needs.
So I was chatting with one such retailer recently discussing their options. Going through our in-stock inventory and what we could order from our team, etc. Fun stuff like that.
The next text they sent froze me in my tracks.
“I’ll take all of it.”
All. Of. It.
Once I unfroze, I started to laugh and nearly fell out of bed.
Because I knew then what you know now… which is the immense, life changing, world changing, generational impact that happens when we sell even one bag.
And they wanted all of them.
(If this system let me, I’d be inserting “mind blown emoji”, “crying emoji”, “heart emoji”, basically all the emojis.)
The next day I called our team in Ethiopia to place our refill order of product. Because some news just needs to be heard over the phone instead of through email.
I started by asking if they had plenty of materials on hand and if they could get more easily.
And then I told him just how many bags we needed to order.
(This is where the story gets good, friend.)
It was silent for a beat before he replied through choked back tears, “Wow, Bre. Ameseginalehu.”
(That means “thank you” in Amharic.)
“The students will be very glad to make that order. We love big orders, you know.”
I was nearly a blubbery mess along with him, because I did know. And now you know, too.
We know those students are thrilled to get to work on this order. Every bag is a chance to hone their skills and work toward a future of freedom forever.
Think about those students.
We know there are girls out there today, still trapped in exploitation, longing to escape.
Their escape and path toward healing will be funded from this order, and every Beza order.
Think about those survivors to come.
Their lives will be changed this holiday season and they don’t even know it yet.
So humbly, thank you in advance for considering Beza Threads for your gift giving needs this holiday season. You can even plan your gift giving strategy with this nifty flow chart.
Share this story - or send a link to our website - to people you know who would love to give impact driven gifts, as well. They need to hear about Beza Threads!
We also have several in-person pop-up events throughout the Des Moines area in November and December. [Check them out here].
Every purchase helps girls escape human trafficking, heal, and thrive with a life a freedom.
What a beautiful gift at Christmastime (*chefs kiss* emoji).
–Breanna–
Beza Threads
P.S. Want to jump straight into shopping our best sellers this holiday season? I see you ;).
Here are our 4 top sellers so far this year - and the ones that get the highest raves from customers in person.
