Refugee Resettlement and
Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA)
Threads of Promise
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Susan Mittleman (2010-03-11)
ATLANTA (WABE) — The women of Avondale Estates were all abuzz at Connie Bryan's recent house-party– trunk sale.
"We're selling scarves, pillows, table runners and pocket books."
Bryan was actually selling more than hand-woven goods but Threads of Promise.
Threads of Promise is a new weaving cooperative of Karin refugee women from Burma, and RRISA – The Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta.
RRISA helps thousands of refugees, asylees and victims of trafficking each year."We provide services to help families adjust and retain their culture as they become self-sufficient members of a community," explains Development Director Leanne Rubenstein. She says the most recent arrivals are from Iraq, Bhutan and Burma, now called Myanmar, where many have been in refugee camps since 1996.
The Burmese women don't speak much English, yet.
They don't even all speak the same tribal language.
But they do share a centuries-old, cultural tradition, says Rubenstein, weaving. And about a year ago, RRISA's Burmese case manager came to her and said, "the women want to weave."
Burmese women have always woven their own clothes, bags, and other unique textiles which have drawn attention from collectors around the world. But here in Atlanta, starting out in a new culture, they had no tools of their trade. So Rubenstein, and numerous volunteers put their heads together.
With the women, they were able to design the looms, find the thread and says Rubenstein, "organize the group that now comes to RRISA."
Since August, the women have been coming twice a week. They learn a little English and a little business, while weaving a way on make-shift, portable back strap looms, made from different sized wood, dowels and pvc pipes.
They are no longer just weaving for themselves, but now adjusting their work to sell to the American market. Helping them do that is RRISA's learning center coordinator, Nicole Durham. "What I tell them, says Durham, "is that the colors are just a little bit different. Americans are accustomed to seeing colors in a little different way than they're used to weaving."
Volunteers have helped with display arrangements and marketing, and since October, with RRISA's help, these resilient women have been selling their unique, colorful, hand-woven goods at community events, churches, and house parties, like the one thrown by Connie Bryans.
80% of the profit goes back to the weavers. The rest goes toward the program costs, which is supplemented by donations.
Refugees, says Rubenstein, often work for minimum wage, so these women took the initiative to get this started.
It was what they wanted to do to retain their culture and also help support their families.
Threads of Promise plans to be at future community events, including the Inman Park Festival in April.
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