Each stitch tells a story of resilience and hope. And that is the heartbeat of WorldCrafts artisan group Refugee Sewing Society (RSS), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming space for refugee women who have resettled in Clarkston, Georgie. Through the ministry of RSS, these women find healing, dignity, and a sustainable livelihood while blessing others with their unique handmade crafts.
The mission of RSS goes beyond providing jobs. The artisan group creates a supportive community where refugee women from various backgrounds come together to share their experiences, support one another, and build relationships. According to RSS, “The women learn sewing and handcraft skills, and quickly advance to making beautiful, unique products that we sell through our store, local markets, and wholesale partners. They also have the opportunity to take [English as a second language] classes each week, [giving] them the tools they need to grow and succeed in their new home.”
The handmade RSS products showcase the refugees’ incredible craftsmanship and symbolize the renewal they have found through this ministry.
June 20 is World Refugee Day, an internationally observed day to honor the strength and courage of refugees around the world. This day highlights the resilience of those who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. In the words of UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, “Together, we can champion their right to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions to their plight.”
WorldCrafts, the fair-trade WMU Compassion Ministry, offers a tangible way to live out Christ’s call to care for the lives of refugees and vulnerable people. WorldCrafts assists global ministries that offer fair wages to those who might otherwise have no hope. By purchasing WorldCrafts products and sharing this compassion ministry with your church and community, you become part of a larger mission — offering an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.
Like the products created by Refugee Sewing Society, each product made by a WorldCrafts artisan is a testimony of God’s love at work, transforming the lives of individuals, families, and communities. And every purchase connects you with their stories.
Visit wmu.com to learn more about WorldCrafts and its artisans, to explore products, and to discover how you can share WorldCrafts with your church. Together we can empower artisans, support WMU Compassion Ministries, and extend God’s love to the nations.
Reprinted from the June 2025 issue of Missions Mosaic, Woman’s Missionary Union, Birmingham, Alabama. Used by permission. To receive this issue, or subscribe to Missions Mosaic, call 1-800-968-7301.