Grand Opening Day and Fashion Show Celebration
Nancy, Class of 2019, greets old friends before the Grand Opening began.
On Friday, November 10th, over 600 people gathered at Neema to celebrate the grand opening of Neema’s new campus. Friends and family, pastors and partners, village elders and chiefs, along with the Neema staff, students, and board members came together to commemorate what has been a long time in the making — Neema finally having a home of its own.
Everyone congregated on the bottom lawn with the new campus in full view and listened as different people shared about Neema and its impact. Alumni Ruth (Class of 2019) got emotional as she spoke, saying, “Once I was nothing, but now I am somebody.” Madam Joyce (Head of Training) reminded us all that Neema started with just six students and four staff. But it never wavered from its mission and vision, and today there are 30 students, 20 staff, and additional programs like counseling and childcare. And the village chief, Charles, spoke of the broad impact of Neema saying, “The community are the beneficiaries through the Neema girls.”
Perhaps the best summation of the day’s celebration came from founding member and board member, Melinda Snow. She shared two key African principles that have guided Neema through the years. The first is Ubuntu: I am because you are. We wouldn’t be here today, she said, without the collective effort of others in the past. The second is If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Neema realized early on that teaching tailoring alone wasn’t enough. But by slowly building a solid foundation together, Neema added the additional two pillars of counseling and discipleship and began to have even greater impact. So by going slow together, Neema has come very far.
Irine (Program Director), Gaëlle (Executive Director), and Brian (Board President) cut the ribbon at Neema’s Grand Opening along with help from students Dorcas, Esther, Elizabeth, and Linah.
The speeches were followed by a presentation of plaques commemorating those who have given to make this project possible. Then a ribbon cutting, a cake cutting, and in true Kenyan fashion, a dance party on the lawn in celebration of what’s been accomplished. After that, the Neema girls held a fashion show, wearing and showing off the dresses, jumpers, and outfits they each made from scratch. They confidently walked the catwalk and were greeted by proud parents, friends, or Neema staff as they came off the stage.
The impact of Neema on the students, their families, and communities was evident as everyone shared a meal together to end the day. And to think that Neema can now expand its impact because of the new campus makes all of us excited for the future.
By supporting Neema, you are part of something significant and meaningful—something that is transforming the lives of vulnerable young women and their children. And the impact of your contributions will continue to be felt over years to come. You are bringing hope to and empowering young women and children in need.