Wax On, Wax Off!

We arrived early Saturday morning to help get the charcoal ovens going to boil water and melt wax with some women from Amani Ya Juu. For eleven years, this ministry to refugee women has helped hundreds of displaced women learn new skills to help support their families. Work like this is also being done by our partner churches, the African Brotherhood Church and the African Church and Schools, throughout Kenya. What makes Amani special is the focus on refugees from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds including Somali Muslims.

Under a tin roof the smoke of the damp charcoal fills the air as Ann begins to prepare the plain cotton fabric for dying. Ann is a refugee from Congo who came to Kenya three years ago to escape conflict. She patiently explains the process of waxing patterns onto the fabric, dying the fabric and rewaxing a complementary design before the fabric receives a second dye. The end result are meters of beautiful vibrant designs used by other women at the centre to make clothing, bags, table linens, quilts, wall hangings, and crafts.

For women like Ann, Amani means more than a just a way to earn a living. Along with the daily work, the women gather together for prayer, support and spiritual growth. "Amani" means "peace". The women believe that their lives were once wandering in confusion, but the peace of Christ has given them direction and purpose.

Erica, Tristan and Emma getting a hug from Maggie. Her familiar smile greets everyone who visits Amani Ya Juu. Maggie was a nurse here in Nairobi until she experienced a terrible accident and a broken hip. She has recovered with a plastic implant that allows her to walk with a limp. Six years ago she was invited by the ministries director to join the work at Amani. She is now the first person to arrive every morning!

Ann watches on as Tristan takes a turn with the wooden stamp.

Emma dying her own little batik purple!