Today is International Women’s Day—a day set aside to honor and uplift women worldwide. Not only does Seeds of Hope rely on incredible women to lead our programs and serve in our school every day, but honoring and uplifting women is one of the core foundations of the work we do.
When we look at the example of Jesus, we see how he elevated women time and time again. In a culture where women were powerless in every sense of the word, Jesus chose to empower them. He set the standard for uplifting women in a world that does not value them. At Seeds of Hope, we strive to meet this standard in everything we do.
Despite a culture that often treats women as subservient or lesser, we’re committed to embodying Jesus’ heart. That’s why Seeds of Hope started the SHINE program. In a society that sees women as less than, the SHINE program is led by women for women so that they can grow in community and confidence.
There are very few opportunities for women outside of the home in Jericho, and because of this, women also lack community-centered activities. SHINE has started addressing this need by offering different classes and gatherings, from groups that meet to work on personal development and education to Zumba classes led by female instructors and women-only gym time at the Cultural Center.
Not only is this a radical departure from the norm in Jericho, but it also sends a purposeful and powerful message to each and every woman who attends—your growth and health are important enough to be a priority.
Seeing yourself as valuable and worthy runs counter to the many messages women in Jericho receive on a daily basis. It’s difficult for most women to prioritize their needs or allow themselves a chance to relax.That’s why Seeds of Hope hosts our spa days, where volunteers pamper the women of Jericho and provide much-needed rest and relaxation.
What’s more important than the actual services provided through these programs, though, is the community surrounding them. There aren’t many places in Jericho where women feel welcomed and encouraged to be their most authentic and honest selves. Seeds of Hope is a safe place for women to find the support they need without any fear of shame or judgment.
For Raeda, this community was priceless. After surviving the horrific, and sadly all too common, sexual abuse of a family member, Raeda was in desperate need of support. When she spoke out about this abuse, she was faced with shame and judgment by her family and friends. Raeda’s community shunned her, blaming her for what happened.
That’s when her mother found SHINE.
She brought her daughter to the group weekly, and as time went by, Raeda’s mother watched as her daughter slowly began to trust others with her story. The women of the SHINE program supported Raeda through her difficult journey and treated her with nothing but respect and kindness. With a community uplifting her every step of the way, Raeda began to rediscover her own confidence and value. The women of the SHINE group served as a constant reminder of God’s love during her healing.
Now, Raeda is happily married, and she and her mother still participate in the SHINE group. They have seen firsthand the life-changing power of community and want to offer it to others as well.
“The impact of the program is very great,” shares Fadwa, who leads the SHINE program. “It liberates women from many restrictions that have been entrenched in their lives over the years. We also free them from other convictions built in their brains from customs and traditions we once believed were sound and correct for our lives.”
As a woman who grew up in the same area, Fadwa is uniquely positioned as a leader to impact the women who attend based on her own experience and growth. “We teach them how to deal with the problems and challenges they face and focus on the importance of God’s presence in their daily lives. Seeds of Hope is considered a safe place for them to share their feelings and life problems.”
Thanks to your generosity and the incredible work of women like Fadwa and many others, we’re committed to following the radical example Jesus set for us. We’ll continue providing a safe space where the women of Jericho can find community and confidence with one another as they discover the perfect love of their Heavenly Father!
