This is Tumaini. She is 24 years old and a single mother struggling to provide for her 4 year old daughter who goes to our preschool. Her daughter's name is Sharon. When Tumaini met Sharon's father he made many promises to her. She was 19 at the time and could not afford to go to school. He promised her he would pay for her education and take care of her. As soon as he found out she was pregnant he disappeared leaving Tumaini to explain her situation to her parents alone. They rejected her instantly and disowned her as their daughter. Ever since Tumaini has been battling her severe conditions to provide for herself and her daughter. But now Tumaini has hope! That is what Tumaini means in Swahili (Hope). She works with Shining a Light to make our handmade beaded sandals that we sell through our website at www.shiningalight.org. She love the work, the environmemt, and has been enjoying our empowerment classes knowing that she is improving her life and her daughter's life. Through the sale of our beautiful sandals you can help Tumaini and many other women just like her.

Jennifer VanderGalien
jennifer@shiningalight.org
www.shiningalight.org