Stories

We’re nearing the end of our stay in Kampala, and I am truly pooped! But it has been worth every moment, every conversation, every project. Today was filled with experiences I wish each of you could have heard with your own ears and seen with your own eyes—because you would have witnessed how your support of The Off Ramp and Threads by Nomad is making a real difference through our partnerships with Amani Sasa and Refuge and Hope. We began the day with the basket weavers at Am

I met Vivian and Jovan through a networking group I participate in—a small gathering that meets once a month via Zoom to share ideas about economic empowerment strategies in Uganda. One of the women in the group introduced me to this remarkable young couple. Vivian and Jovan recognized a serious need among school-age girls: access to basic sanitary and hygiene items. When girls begin their monthly cycles, many stay home because they don’t have what they need. The missed days

I arrived at the center earlier than usual—we had a full day ahead. The other team members each wanted a simple dress made by the women of Sewing for Hope , so the work began! First, Elizabeth taught everyone how to make patterns. I learned a lot! It’s not a skill I’ve ever really practiced. I’ve made a few patterns before, but nothing extensive. Then came measuring—something I was ready for, thanks to lessons from our former master tailor in Houston, Haydar. The afternoon wa

We came to Uganda for two reasons: the retreat you’ve hopefully already read about , and Sewing for Hope —a program within the center Refuge and Hope. We’ve been working with Sewing for Hope since around 2016 or 2017. The goal is much like ours at The Off Ramp: to create opportunities for economic stability and, in doing so, reduce the need for displacement. We partnered with them as mentors and marketers—offering guidance on improving production and helping sell their creat

Our retreat for the women of Refuge and Hope grew out of concerns identified during our last trip to Uganda just two and a half years ago. The original plan was to invite someone who could address reproductive health. But when an Ebola outbreak occurred last January, the trip was postponed—and that person was no longer able to participate. So, what to do? Around that time, I had completed a training called Strengthening Families.  The course teaches skills that help parents

Oy vey! The journey!  It was quite an adventure getting here. We were on our way to Northern Virginia to catch our flight out of Dulles when we learned that our connection from Istanbul to Uganda had been canceled. So, we began preparing for an unexpected overnight stay in Istanbul. The challenge? Each of us had three pieces of luggage—one for ourselves, one for the retreat we were leading, and one carry-on packed just for the night. At check-in, the agent at Dulles decided t

Where are we? Where are we going? I helped my grandchildren with homework and piano practice. Then I took the dog and grand-dog on a...

She doesn’t have a case number. She desperately wishes she did. Her son Bernard* would love to secure one. It is too dangerous. Bernard...

“Where do we go from here?” The question filled our minds with seemingly no solution. Zachary* and Maryam* were safe in New Zealand. We...

On Monday an urgent message came to my WhatsApp. The leader of a non-profit that we had been partnering with informed us that it appeared...

As he logged onto the Zoom call, we saw a beautiful blue sky behind him. Bernard* was at a local market in Pakistan when he realized it...

It is uplifting each Wednesday morning when we log on to zoom. They are usually waiting for us, even though we are right on time. Their...

Dear Friends of The Off Ramp, For some months, The Off Ramp has been working with Welcome Corps , a part of the US State Department. It...

Dear Friends of The Off Ramp, Today, I want to share the story of two women who are rebuilding their lives after facing unimaginable...

We are excited to share our new brand video, developed to help explain the significant changes we've undergone, especially since Covid....

A few words on Faith Trade October is the month set aside to recognize and promote fair trade. Fair trade processes work toward fair...

This is our third impact report for The Off Ramp and its subsidiary, Threads by Nomad. The Off Ramp began before the pandemic. About the...

Energetic. Determined. Positive. Relational. These are the words that describe Alia after I met her for the first time. Having been with...

Julia, the founder of Coton et Gourmandises, is temporarily living in Senegal, originally from France, and she is an expert in crochet....

Her smile is bright and invites you to be her friend. It does not even hint at the difficulties of 22 years in a refugee camp. For the...