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Sewing Seeds for Hope

Handcraft sale to support Afghan women artisans

Hansi Dean and Sewing Seeds for Hope will return to First Parish to sell items created by Afghan women who have resettled in New England during the Pancake Breakfast and fellowship hour.

Hansi volunteers with a group working with Afghan refugees in Manchester, NH, who started Sewing Seeds for Hope to empower Afghan women who are expert seamstresses.

In the chaos that was Afghanistan in August of 2021, a large number of families who had supported the United States during the war were evacuated. Many were resettled in New England and began the difficult process of rebuilding their lives in a new and unfamiliar country. After years of war, a determined group of Afghan women have banded together to help their families succeed by creating and selling an array of unique, hand-sewn products. Their business is called Sewing Seeds for Hope and its goal is Empowering Afghan Women, One Stitch at a Time.

These women come from vastly different backgrounds yet share a strong desire to see their families, especially their children, succeed in their new home. In addition to learning a new language and culture, the women are developing strong business and leadership skills by using their talents to create and sell a variety of beautiful handmade products, including pillows, cosmetic bags, aprons, baby linens, table linens and other items.​

Please contact Hansi Dean at hansidean@aol.com if you are interested in learning more about Sewing Seeds for Hope.