What is your contact information?
STORE ADDRESS
16 Seminary Ave, Hopewell NJ 08525
MAILING ADDRESS
Seeds to Sew International, PO BOX 22, Hopewell NJ 08525
TELEPHONE
609.466.3728
FAX
609-228-6045
E-MAIL
[email protected]
What is your mission statement?
Seeds to Sew International, Inc. is a US-based, 501(c)3, non-profit organization with the mission of improving the lives of women and girls in disadvantaged communities through education and job skills training.
Our goal is for the women and girls in our programs to use these job skills to make money and support themselves and their communities. We also provide training in the basics of business management such as cash management, opening/balancing/reconciling a bank account, and record keeping. We also educate participants about local laws and their basic rights, as well as the rights of their children, so that they can advocate for themselves and find support when needed as their income and stature in their community grows.
In what countries do you operate?
Our current programs are Kenya-based, however, we have an active US operation that focuses on building the market and selling the products that our participants make. We are also very involved with education programs and talk to schools, university and community groups to help raise awareness about those less fortunate and inspire more socially-responsible enterprises.
How many participants benefit from the programs?
This number changes constantly, so in order to provide an accurate and current number of participants, please contact us directly. As of April 2019, 14 women participated in the sewing program and 29 girls have been able to attend school through our beading and githomo gift-making programs. However, many children, family and community members have directly benefited from the income earned by our sewing participants.
How often do you visit your sites in Kenya? Do you bring volunteers?
We visit our Kenyan operations once a year (usually in January), and oftentimes bring volunteers with us. Contact us if you are interested in traveling with us or our partner Global Connections Kenya!
How can I make a monetary donation?
DONATE ONLINE
through our PayPal account
DONATE BY MAIL
DOWNLOAD a donation form and mail to us at
Seeds to Sew International
PO BOX 22, Hopewell, NJ 08525
DONATE BY PHONE
to make a secure credit card donation, or for questions about making a gift to Seeds to Sew International, please call 609.466.3728
MATCHING GIFTS
Many employers offer matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions or volunteer service by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, contact your Human Resources department.
ORGANIZE A SALE/ FUNDRAISER
there are many creative ways to raise funds for Seeds to Sew International – contact us to discuss ideas.
DONATE TIME = VOLUNTEER
There are many volunteer opportunities, both front and center (vending) and behind the scenes (inventory assembly, data entry, etc.). Fill out the form on our DONATE page or e-mail us to [email protected]
DONATE MATERIALS/ ORGANIZE A FABRIC DRIVE
We gratefully accept the following items:
• Colorful fabrics (“fat quarter” or larger) – cotton, cotton/poly blends, preferably Christmas patterns (WHOLESALE SOURCE)
• Cones of thread (WHOLESALE SOURCE)
• 5/8″ wide gross grain ribbon (WHOLESALE SOURCE)
• Sewing notions: Sewing machine needles, scissors, measuring tapes, zippers, buttons etc.
• Electric machines in working order
How will my monetary contribution be spent?
You will be able to decide how your contribution is allocated. Perhaps you would like to specifically purchase a sewing machine, offer support to one of the less fortunate girls, or provide a small grant to a woman to assist her in a new product idea or micro-enterprise? We will be able to provide suggestions and report as needed.
I have a material donation. How do I get it to you?
DROP IT OFF AT OUR SHOP at 16 Seminary Ave, Hopewell, NJ
SCHEDULE A PICKUP
If you are within 10 miles within 08525, we will be happy to pick up or meet you half-way.
What happens with donated materials Seeds to Sew can’t use?
We will select materials and notions that we can use such as cotton, poly-cotton blends, some light upholstery or other materials suitable for our products, threads, ribbons, sewing machines, machine parts, scissors, zippers, buttons and other notions that can be used in our programs. All other materials and sewing notions (such as upholstery, batting, patterns) we pass on to our friend organizations such as Homefront, who also have sewing projects and are able to use these. If you wish and request, we will let you know after we are done sorting the donation and if there are any materials we can’t use, you will be able to pick them up and pass on to organizations of your choice.
Are contributions to Seeds to Sew tax-deductible?
Yes, your donation (of money, materials or professional services donated in kind) is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of law. We will mail or e-mail you the receipt for your tax purposes.
What do all the foreign words mean?
“Enkiteng” is a Masai word for “cow”. Since the Masai community is the first community making our wrapping bags, we felt this name was fitting. A cow symbolizes freedom, wealth and power in this community. Cows are also valued as being the most giving animal as they provide milk on a daily basis, and meat in times of need. Cows are also the dowry that is paid by a groom’s family to the family of the bride.
“Enkisoma” means “education” in Masai language
“Githomo” means “education” in Kikuyu language. That is the language spoken in the Mount Kenya area, where our Githomo program is located.
“Magoto” means “natural fiber” in the Kikuyu language. Natural fiber such as banana tree bark, sisal, grass, twigs, corn husks etc.
