Great organization which actually puts hands and feet (and thimbles) to their values. Who doesn't love a pretty dress? But these dresses serve a greater purpose than aesthetics. These dresses speak to the inherent value of hundreds of girls. While not discussed very much LDFA also also encourages sewists to make reusable monthly pads, enabling girls to continue to go to school, even while on their periods. That is transformative.
Since 2014 I have been part of an amazing organization that gives dignity and hope to so many little girls simply with a pillow case. The dress, whether out of fabric or pillow case is a simple act of Love. Every dress in every size is distributed by volunteers in many countries throughout the world including here in the USA.
Over 9,000,000 and counting.
With so many obstacles in many countries for young girls, just knowing and seeing first hand in 2019 the joy one dress, pair of shorts, Sani pads and panties and so much more that generous donors give, truly filled my heart.
SMILES & tears.
It started with a pillow case for myself and my husband, yes he sews, to make 2015 a Memorable Journey. We ended 2015 with over 2,015 dresses. It has become a passion because LDFA has a Joyful mission.
We had wells drilled in our grandchildren’s names. They are now part of villagers whose lives and spirits have been lifted. Making someone’s life easier is what LDFA constantly strives toward. The generosity of many who have and continue to step up and have just one well drilled will serve over 3,000 villagers. Many walk over 5 miles for that one bucket of clean water. Again, a small act but a huge impact.
LDFA has expanded their areas of contributing over the years. We encourage everyone to look at a simple act of “Pay It Forward” for yourself and family or someone you may know who is looking for a way to make a HUGE difference in so many lives. We can ALL be part of something bigger than ourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:13
…the greatest of these is Charity/ Love
Ron & Bobbi Thomson
Redmond, OR
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Ron and I decided our "Journey 2015" was to make 2,015 dresses for LDFA. We made our goal.
Thanks to all your volunteers. Rachel and Michael, you are amazing people. The lives you touch are too many to count. We have received pictures of some little girls with BIG smiles wearing some of our dresses. Our lives have been enriched because of all of you. We will continue to clothe the naked in Jesus name.
Ron & Bobbi Thomson
I'm a solo sewing senior. The fabric was donated to me. I've been sewing dresses now for 8 yrs.
So happy to hear this organization is still accepting donations. Thank you for giving and
keeping me happy. I feel needed.
I have been sewing dresses for LDFA for over 5 years. I love being creative and allowing little girls to enjoy my gifts. I encourage others to look into this great organization…..you will be rewarded. These pictures are just an example.
This charity is one of the best when it comes to serving so many in a variety of ways. With schools, wells, sewing centers and dresses shipped to where they are needed, Little Dresses for Africa is meeting many needs.
Roma Van Harn
It was through this ministry that I came to find and love Jesus… it has been something near and dear to my heart ever since.
Such a great cause ! the wonderful people of LDFA make sure that children and people in Africa have a better life and more importantly, keep hope.
After retiring my husband and I needed a project we could be part of which would be greater than ourselves. I had helped make a couple pillowcase dresses in 2010 for an organization who took them to mission countries through LDFA. When I suggested we sew them together and make it Our Journey, Ron decided to make our year 2015 one to remember. “Let’s make 2015” dresses.
I took out a request in the Ruralite Magazine that goes to over 320,000 readers in seven states. Never expected the generosity of hundreds of readers. We continue to receive fabric, sheets, cases, notions and already completed dresses, shorts, t-shirts, Sani pads, shoes, crocheted lap robes, baby quilts and new clothing and so much more. I have people reach out and ask about LDFA frequently.
Rachel is so inspirational. She is always energetic and it is contagious. She even answers her own phone! There are so many volunteers who have their own testimonials to what brought them to be part of the organization. If a country is in need of items She puts out the word and miracles happen. Yes, even here in the USA. There is need all over the world and she has people all over the world ready and able to help.
In 2019 I was privileged to go on one of the mission trips to Malawi with Rachel. Being able to place the dresses on the little girls and look in their precious eyes made my heart swell. As Rachel reminds everyone, a simple dress gives dignity. Such a simple thing can give great pleasure to the most vulnerable. I saw it first hand.
We continue to sew. Thousands sent and thousands more to send. We are not done.
In 2019 Ron and I purchased wells for our grand children. Each has their names.
They understand that over 3,000 people are benefiting from their well. Each one wants to some day go and visit the village they have helped. They have seen the pictures of need. Not just the children but entire families. Just think, a bucket of water. A bucket of water. YES, things we take for granted and yet they know no other way until that well is pumped and water is freely running. Water is life.
We work The Beatitudes. LDFA organization lives The Beatitudes. God has reached our hearts with Rachel and her staffs help here in the USA and in Africa. Never a day goes by when a prayer doesn’t go up for just one more person gets inspired.
There are many areas Rachel has expanded in the organization. Her website is amazing and I always encourage people to check it out. A few years ago I was named “the crazy dress lady” because people would recognize me from demonstrations. I have personal cards with my info and the LDFA website info for them to check out.
Yes, we are a bit over the top about “our” people.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helps make Rachel’s dream of dignity for all little girls a reality. To God be the Glory!
The children were intrigued by my white hands, some boxes sent this year and the most precious picture is the one of the same little girl waiting for her dress of dignity. Be still my heart ♥️.
Proverbs 31 : 25
Ron and Bobbi Thomson
Redmond, Oregon
I have been sewing dresses for LDFA for just about 5 years now. With Rachel’s support, I was called to make a 60th birthday wish this spring and asked my friends and family for donations toward building a fresh water well. It’s a long, beautiful story, but as donations came in, it soon became very clear that we were going to have enough money to build/fund two wells! Both of them are now functional and providing fresh water to “my girls” and thousands of people in their communities in two villages in Malawi. We help others, yes… BUT the blessings and feelings of joy that we get in return are so abundant. LDFA continues to changes the lives of those we serve, and the lives of us who seek to serve.
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When I retired from working as an office assistant in a high school counseling center, I knew that I needed to find a purpose for my life moving forward. My 83 year old mother suggested that I get back to sewing, which she taught me to do when I was young but had gotten away from as life got busier and busier. She shared the pattern she had been using for some little dresses that she had been making. Hmmm... could this be my "thing"?, I wondered. YUP! Little Dresses for Africa has provided a purpose for me in a way that has far exceeded my expectations. When I started, I bought some cute, cheery fabric and posted photos of the finished dresses on Facebook for friends to see. Before I knew it, those friends were offering not only emotional support for the cause but financial support as well. Some have donated money to me to purchase fabric, others have cleaned out their craft and sewing rooms and/or shopped yard sales and have given me thread, ribbons, fabric, and all sorts of trim. In the past 6 months, I have been blessed to create and send in 110 little dresses... I put pockets on each and tuck a little length of ribbon or a pair of panties in each so they not only get the dress but a little surprise when they put their hands in the pocket the first time. Because of the generosity of my friends, I have started sending the money I would otherwise spend on supplies with my dresses, to help offset the cost for international shipping/distribution.
What I know to be true is that this cause has truly changed my life. I have followed Rachel's blog, learning more about the work Little Dresses for Africa does and it has made me all the more committed to the cause. THEY ARE CHANGING LIVES ALL OVER THE WORLD! These beautiful children, both boys and girls, are valuable and worthy, and I can help them simply by doing what I love to do... sewing. My prayer and goal is to some day accompany a group to a location, doing what ever needs doing certainly, but specifically to slip my dresses over the heads of some sweet little girls. God is good and angels are everywhere! Little Dresses for Africa is full of them!
We have been making dresses,dignity pads& boys britches for 4 yrs. now & I can't say enough about this organization. If we had more people like this,just think how much better our world would be!!! GOOD JOB YOU!
Little Dresses for Africa started as a small group of people.headed by a woman with a big heart and bigger idea. LDA provides clothing for impoverished children sewn by people world wide due to her vision . LDA also provides wells and needed equipment - - from desks to crutches. This organization has impacted my life too: I can contribute to children’s well being by sewing . I love being able to put a smile on a child’s face, even if I can never see it.
This Christian organization is helping little African girls know they are loved and prayed for through the distribution of simple, little dresses. It is my joy to share God's love by using my sewing talent to make the dresses, send them to headquarters, and know they are in the hands of this wonderful, well run, organization. All little girls are entitiled to feel special and this organization works to this end.
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Gwen was like a sister I never had. We shared a love for sewing and dogs, she was an OR nurse, I'm a retired nurse, so we had a lot in common. Her sudden passing was, and still is, pure heartbreak. One of her passions was making the Little Dresses for Africa in her very limited spare time. It was to honor her that I began making the dresses, I have no idea how many I've made, but each one brings me joy. I've been to Africa and have seen the precious little girls wearing rags. Every little girl needs to know she matters and is loved so I will keep making dresses as long as I can. I've also made the britches for the little boys. And yes, I've seen their naked little bodies playing in the dirt, so very sad. I admire this organization and respect the time and energy it takes to make it work. May God bless all the hands involved.
I love this organization. I feel like I am doing something to help others by participating in their sewing of dresses for the girls in Africa. Whenever I send my dresses in I get a post card letting me know that they appreciate it and always answer any questions I've had. It is a loving group!
I have been making dresses for this organization for many years. The work that thy perform in making the lives of children in Africa and around the world is priceless. Many they hard work continue.
I first heard about LDFA in 2016 as I was preparing for my first mission trip with my church. I started sewing dresses and took 150 dresses that I had made with me to Malawi that summer. Since then, I’ve continued sewing hundreds more. In 2018 I started serving full-time at an orphanage in Malawi. As someone who interacts daily with the children in the villages, I see not only the need for clothes (as most of theirs are falling apart), but also the need for hope. These kids are starving! They are hungry for any hope we can give them. And by sharing new dresses with the kids, it opens the door for us to share the gospel with these kids and their communities. This is what they need more than clothes. They need hope! I am thankful for the work being done by the hundreds of volunteers with LDFA who sew, sort, package, ship and deliver these dresses...but most importantly, with each dress is hope. And hope brings a smile to every face I see out there in the villages of Malawi. I have stories for days about the lives that are being changed when these kids receive hope and are told that they have not been forgotten. They have not been left alone. They are loved by us, and even more than that, they are loved by Jesus, their Heavenly Father.
Growing up my cousin and I would dress-up in my grandmothers old dresses, beautiful flowing gowns on us, with lace and ruffles. We would dance around the living room and of course have tea and cookies. I believe every little girl deserves a beautiful dress, so she can feel valued, important, protected and beautiful. Sewing and supporting Little Dresses for Africa does that for each little girl who receives a dress.
Great organization which actually puts hands and feet (and thimbles) to their values. Who doesn't love a pretty dress? But these dresses serve a greater purpose than aesthetics. These dresses speak to the inherent value of hundreds of girls. While not discussed very much LDFA also also encourages sewists to make reusable monthly pads, enabling girls to continue to go to school, even while on their periods. That is transformative.
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We love Little Dresses for Africa! This past winter, my 14-year-old daughter read the book Kisses from Katie, about a girl who went to Africa to do mission work. Parts of the book greatly distressed my daughter, and she came to me very upset about the child soldiers, prostitution, and child trafficking mentioned. She wondered what she, a simple, Midwestern, 14-year-old girl with cerebral palsy could do. I had been planning to teach her to sew anyway, so I proposed she learn to sew dresses for LDFA. She went on their website, learned about their heart for girls, and became very excited to begin. Here she is with her first dress. She now has the goal of sewing at least one dress every month for LDFA. After she has sewn a few, we will send them along.
LDFA is so much more than just a sewing project. We have been reading about them for several months now on Facebook, and we are so impressed with their heart for these girls and young women. The idea of being able to help prevent girls from being trafficked ignited a passion in my daughter. We love LDFA!
I have been sewing for Little Dresses for Africa since 2010. Sewing for this wonderful group has allowed me to use my sewing skills to bless children in other parts of the world. I have made dresses, shorts, skirts, sani-pads, and dignity bags. It has been thrilling for me to watch this group do SO much, and I feel confident that Rachel never imagined where her simple idea would go and how it would impact so many lives!
I have been sewing for LDFA for years now. And I have been lucky enough to find pictures on their site of my dresses on beautiful little girls! Such a generous organization. They do such wonderful work.
I am 83 years old and I doing dresses and Shorts since 2011.This organization does a wonderful job helping all the girls and boys in Africa I have made more than 800 hundred dresses and I will continue helping with all my love,God bless Rachel and the team,
This is an amazing organization! God is using them in big ways and blessing their mission. I personally went to Malawi with LDFA in 2010 and can’t begin to explain how amazing it was!
The volunteers are incredible. They come to our headquarters to open, size fold and ship thousands of dresses each week. There is so much love you can feel it like a warm hug. This organization would not exist without them. We are able to deliver tangible hope through these dresses and provide clean water, education and community support. Thank God for Little Dresses for Africa.
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I have been able to make many dresses for this organization and have been very proud to do so. I have gotten a great response from Rachel and loved hearing from her. She is doing such a great job along with everyone who is involved with this great organization. Have a wonderful and blessed day. Glenda
I have been sewing dresses for and making contributions to Little Dresses for Africa for over 10 years and have been consistently impressed and gratified by the caring and generous behavior modeled by its founder, Rachel O'Neill, and the other volunteers. It is inspiring to be able to see so directly the results of one's contribution, be it financial or actual Little Dresses. Seeing photos of little dresses I have made being worn by little girls is the best feeling in the world! I would encourage everyone to get involved in what ever way they can.
This organization is fantastic! I was inspired in 2012 by Rachel’s story and mission.
Since then, I, along with a few others in my community have made and sent out 6000 little dresses and hundreds of little boy outfits!
Thank you Rachel for your impact around the globe!
To God be the Glory and Honor!!!!
Kathy in Charlotte N.C.
Little Dresses for Africa changed my life. I became very sick and had to retire early. I decided to take up sewing as a way to work on my motor skills, and to help me to stay busy. I found out about Little Dresses for Africa during that time, and I began to sew little dresses. I fell in love with the mission, and how it helped bring dignity to needy little girls. The cloud of depression that had covered me for so long lifted, and I began to be very happy. The mission has grown so much during the time I have sewn. God has blessed Rachel and her ambitions and big heart. I love Little Dresses for Africa!
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Little Dresses for Africa has given me an amazing opportunity to reach out, hands-on, to children who need to feel valued and loved. The dresses don't last forever, but hopefully the memory of love and compassion will stay with a child for a lifetime. I went from a situation with no supplies, not even a sewing machine or scrap of fabric, to being blessed with many stacks of fabric, and multiple machines. God has helped me to do a very good work for others!
I learned about LDFA about 8 years ago. The organization is very well organized, yet welcomes all who want to participate. Their mission began simply to provide little dresses and shorts to children who lived in rags. Volunteers have joined from all over the world, donating time and treasure. The focus has widened to include building schools, and providing clean water wells in Malawi as well as dress distribution to 89 nations. I have been sewing, participating in other ways, and this 76 year old is preparing to join the next mission trip to Malawi!
Sewing almost every day for Little Dresses for Africa has become my second career. This is going into my tenth year of sending boxes to LDFA headquarters in Michigan. I have spoken to many groups such as churches, quilting guilds and small sewing units. As a result people donate fabric, batting and portable sewing machines to me. I have received some funds to help with postage. My story has been in several local newspapers. I have raised awareness of the needs and plight of children and youth who have so little! I find joy in sewing and thinking of these children. It is a blessing to my life! I thank God for Rachel O'Neill and her generous heart and motivation. She has given hope and strength to so many though the gifts of dresses, shorts for boys and young ladies monthly needs. Keeping girls in school will make a difference for the future of Africa. I am proud to be a part of this wonderful ministry.
I love this organization! They have love in their heart for those that are not as fortunate as most people here in America. I am a facilitator for a sewing Ministry that supports LDFA. I must say, every since we started giving to LDFA we have been profoundly blessed. Women and men are working together to give to LDFA. LDFA does a phenomenal work lifting up the dignity of people, while providing for the basic needs of people who have all but been forgotten by the world. This organization is a mighty conduit for common people to give what they have and know that it is being put to good use. I thank God for every Worker involved with LDFA as well as the Leadership.
I have been sewing little dresses for over 5 years. I love the fact that these dresses are delivered directly to the girls. The photos of the girls getting the dresses show the joy they experience from them and that keeps me sewing. The oeganizers and volunteers are trustworthy and that makes all the difference in these types of programs. I never doubt that the dresses are handed out and not sold.
Little dresses for AFRICA has not only blessed me, but has blessed my sister and aunts who give me fabric, has blessed my aunt's WMU group who pays the postage for me to send the dresses, has blessed my sister's GA group as she had shared about the mission, has blessed my church group as I have shared about it with them. Each dress made and sent has been done with a prayer for the little girl who will wear it. This organization has provided thousands of dresses and shorts for children in impoverished countries. It has also provided wells for fresh water. These children are given hope that they can have a future. God blesses not only each seamstress, but each person involved with LITTLE DRESSES FOR AFRICA with the knowledge that even though to us a little dress may be a small thing, to the little girl it may be her entire world.
We pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes through Samaritan’s Purse. When I found out about Little Dresses for Africa, I contacted them to see if we could get some of their dresses, as a lot of our boxes go to Africa. Rachel gladly shipped us a huge pallet of dresses, and we are so thankful to include them in our boxes. These are sent to needy children all over the world. What a blessing Little Dresses for Africa is! They are a wonderful group of folks!
I have sewed dresses and santi-pads for this wonderful organization.
You would think a little dress would not change a life, each one blesses me as I think of the little girl who will be wearing it. And such a big blessing for her.
The santi-pads let a girl take her education further. I have 3 daughters and can't imagine any of them losing days of education because of their period.
This organization is some kind of wonderful!!!
I love Little Dresses For Africa! It can be a individual sewing project or done in a group setting! I have sewed 97 dresses by myself from pillowcases. It is humbling to think of something we consider rather ordinary bringing such joy to a little girl 's life. This organization makes it so easy to donate locally and regularly posts pictures of the little girls who receive them!
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I became involved with "Little Dresses For Africa" at the encouragement of a friend. Trust me when I say that I am not an accomplished sewer, but I have sewed over 60 pillowcase dresses for little girl's who have never had a new dress. This organization makes it very easy to join in, by giving you simple instructions via the internet and a place to send your finished product. The materials needed to begin are quite affordable and once others know you are sewing for this organization, they willingly donate pillowcases, trims, and sewing notions. I cannot physically serve in a mission field due to physical limitations, so this is a great way to use my gifts to benefit others. The pictures of the smiles of the children's faces as they try on their dresses, are all the thanks and encouragement I need to continue on.
I started working for LDFA as my first steps into the "mission" field. I had no experience in anything before. The moment I stepped through the door and was called SISTER!!! I felt right at home. Watching this organization grow over the years has been such a blessing to me, not to mention the millions of lives it has touched and changed for the better. Talk about changing the world one life at a time, Little Dresses is truly love in motion. In addition to the base mission of sending little dresses (hope) - Wells are being put in that can save entire villages, hostels for girls sold into child marriages that are free now and can go to school and be safe. Schools for children to attend close to home and community centers to worship together. I got to experience this love first hand on the ground when I went to Africa in August of 2016. After years of opening boxes and packing boxes and sending boxes of dresses all over the world., watching a little girls face change instantly to joy of having something that shows them love and worthiness once you put the dress on - it brought me to tears! We fed people, helped with mobile medical clinic, support the local orphanage, open wells, teach vacation bible school, distribute buckets of hope to widows and distribute bibles and SO much more.
this is truly a life changing/ world changing organization and I am humbled to be a part of it.
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I never "missioned' before I was introduced to Little Dresses. I don't sew but I started helping by sorting those precious dresses sewn with so much love by women all over the world. I also open these boxes...and I see more and more that this is not just a mission for those that receive the dresses but also for those that provided the dresses. The stories and notes sent with the packages, along with the care put into the details. I found myself praying over these dresses as I opened them, blessing the givers and the receivers. that was 7 years ago. I then got the chance to go to Africa to see this love first hand. The first dress I put on a little girl who did not speak my language, who was not sure of a white woman giving her something so pretty, brought me to tears - the God giving pure love all around was overwhelming! Little Dresses is a TRUE charity in all meanings of the word. They provide clean water in the form of wells, community centers, schools, hostels, britches for boys, sani pads for the girls, bibles and most of all Hope! Everything they get goes back into the organization to further this mission. Thank you
My story wow, it began during one of my class reunions a few years ago. I kept seeing Rachel O’Neil pictured in Africa somewhere I did not know where on a fellow classmate of mine Facebook page. I had to ask if she Knew Rachel and she affirmed she did and told me what Rachel had been doing with an organization she founded called Little Dresses for Africa. I told her I was a friend of Rachel and not seen her for years and would like to help in some way. I ask her to let Rachel know. Rachel said I would not call well I called immediately. Rachel and I started were we left off great friends. She gave me a few assignments to help with the coming Big Dinner. I went to a few meetings and learned more and more how LDFA was affecting peoples lives around the world. I saw the pictures of the faces of the little girls in Africa and it just touch my heart. As time went by I let Rachel know I would like to go on one of her trips. At first there was no room. Someone dropped out and Rachel called and said do you want to go to Malawi? I said yes I do. Fast forward to Malawi the trip was a life changer for me in many ways. I look at what has been accomplished in just 10 years. The number of children touched by LDFA in the Name ofGod is phenomenal. The adults touched is unbelievable and I mean those volunteering as well as those helped. I know when I held a small baby my first day there or put a pair of shorts on a boy my heart was rejoicing in the Glory of God. What I really have learned so far is One person can make a difference. From just wanting to get a thousand dresses made and send them to Africa after making a trip there Rachel by the Grace of God has a movement an organization that seeks to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus. Giving all Glory to Our God. Yes one person can make a difference with the guidance of our God. I am proud to call Rachel my friend and plan on volunteering anytime and anyway I can Praise God in The Name Of Jesus.
I started sewing for LDFA in 2010 after I sent up a prayer to St Theresa to use my hands . The very next day I received a catalog in the mail ( Nancy’s Notions) with a little insert that fell out of a little girl in rags asking I’d I could spare an hour to make her a new dress. My prayers were answered quickly. I also mail dresses to REALHOPEFORHAITI.org, and with local docs going on medical mission trips to Panama, Honduras, Mexico, etc. I have sewn dresses/ shorts/ drawstring purses/ nanny aprons, totaling over 4,500 since I started. I get great joy mentoring high schoolers for their senior projects, to sew dresses for LDFA.
This is a fabulous charity that truly helps the most vulnerable and often forgotten children in this world. I love this charity because you get to create something that you know will make a difference in someone’s life. I found this charity through my former church and knew immediately that this was something I wanted to be part of. We have so much here and it breaks my heart to think that there are children in this day and age who are living without adequate clothing, clean water or an education. I love making these dresses and sani-pads so that these girls know that they are not forgotten and cared about. It’s a great reminder for me at how blessed I am and to be grateful for the simple things that we tend to take for granted. This organization not only provides dresses, sanitary pads and boy’s britches, they work tiressly to raise money so they can provide other services like digging wells, building an education dorm room so these children can have hope in an education and a sewing center where people there can earn a living. This, by far, is my favorite charity. I try to sew a dress each week and have donated money and a sewing machine. I like that you can be as creative as you want. I now sew dresses with cap sleeves and wrap skirts for the older girls. I’m always inspired by seeing the dresses that others have made. They have a great community of sewers around the world who have great advice, tips and support.
I was reunited with Rachel, the founder of Little Dresses for Africa, at a Soroptimist meeting in September 2007. I was friends with her older sister in High School. She came to tell us about her new organization and her goal of sending 1000 dresses to those less fortunate. A lofty goal for her, because she did not sew!
In 2017 she returned with a 10 year anniversary update. Over 8 million dresses have been sent to over 83 countries. The dresses are the ambassadors of the program. Relationships are developed and if the Chief of the village will donate land a well can be built. LDFA has built 15 wells, on the last trip to Malawi, May 2018, the team got to witness the opening of four of these wells. WATER saves lives and allows the children to attend school. Little Dresses has also built two primary schools and soon will open a secondary school.
EDUCATION changes the future. COMMUNITY sustains the village.
A new distribution warehouse ,at least four times bigger than the old one, has been built to improve and expand distribution to those that need it most. A sewing center was built on the same property. Malawian women will learn to sew and will learn finances 101 to help them start their own businesses. Malawian men are hired for all of the construction projects.
Her teams that visits twice a year, come to hand out dresses and other needed items donated from around the world. The team visits villages to check on the wells and schools and to spend time with the people in the villages.
One of the most loving things achomplished by LDFA, was the building of a dormitory for 110 young girls rescued from childhood marriage. Rachel's relationship with Senior Chief Kachindamoto is precious and powerful. Senior Chief is responsible to 900,000 people in Dedza Malawi. Well respected and a strong leader, she put an end to childhood marriage in Malawi. The request for the dormitory came from her in November 2016, in May of 2017, it was opened.
So from the lofty goal of 1000 dresses, an army of people from all over the world have stood behind and beside Rachel to achomplish her goal of planting in the heart of little girls that they are worthy, and so much more. Blessed to be part of such a wonderful organization!
LDFA provides not only badly needed material items to impoverished children, but more importantly sends dignity, hope, and love to the recipients. I am humbled to sew dresses for the beautiful girls. As I sew I pray for these girls as well as the countless volunteers who work so diligently to spread the Word and bless the children. Additionally, LDFA has built a school and dug wells to provide for the long term needs of the community. Their outreach is tremendous and a glowing example of servitude.
Little dresses is a beacon of hope, my orphans and vulnerable kids from Sierra Leone West Africa has been blessed by the generosity of little dresses for Africa
The least of these, that is what Little Dresses for Africa is all about. Real help to real people who are at the bottom of society. Sending a strong message that girls of all ages are worthy of love and a chance to thrive by building local schools, installing clean water wells, providing school uniforms, building a hostel for girls rescued from child marriages, buckets of supplies for widows, supplying cloth sanitary pads for girls to help manage their menstrual cycles and stay in school, and of course little dresses for young girls to know they are cared about.
Rachel, the founder of LDFA, is diligent in accessing the needs of the villages she visits each year. She answers those needs with solutions that make real change possible for both the current and future generations.
Sewing, donating, and volunteering takes place in homes across our country and the world to send a message of hope from one home to another. Everyone, no matter who you are can participate in some way to make a difference. Instead of waiting on the “big” institutions to step up, this organization uses “little” people to help out the “little” people.
We have been blessed to be part of this charity for many years now and are beyond grateful to know our money and supplies are getting directly to those who need them. Sending clean water, education, clothing, and the idea that we are all worthy.
~Kevin and Rachel
littledressesforafrica 06/04/2018
Thank you for your kind remarks. You have been a real blessing to Little Dresses for Africa and to the children, especially through your donations to provide clean water for so many through Little Dresses for Africa! Love and thanks, Rachel O'Neill, Founder
Venho aqui para contar um pouco da minha satisfação em fazer parte da Little Dresses For África.
Tudo iniciou através de uma reportagem que assisti em Junho/2015 sobre esse lindo projeto. Eu particularmente não sabia costurar roupas, então fui atrás de moldes e fiz meu primeiro vestido ! Nossa, nunca imaginei que um vestido pudesse transformar minha vida, não consegui mais parar de costurar!
Em 2015 abracei o projeto sozinha contando com auxílio financeiro de meu marido, para compra de material e despacho dos vestidos para o destino -Africa. No ano de 2016 consegui ampliar a produção e recebi ajuda de amigos com o material, em 2017 a rede cresceu ainda mais, tive duas ajudantes também na costura e assim continuo até hoje!
Esse é um resumo da minha experiência, mas o mais importante de tudo é que sou outra pessoa desde meu primeiro vestido! Sou muito mais feliz, principalmente porque sei que estou auxiliando na construção de um mundo melhor, mais fraterno, generoso, onde o amor e a paz transcendam todas as barreiras!
Sou movida pelo amor, e o amor é exatamente o que a Little Dresses for África representa!!!
Marcia E. s. da Fonseca - Brasil
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Hello, my name is Marcia and I'm from Brazil. I'm part of Little Dresses From Africa since 2015. Back then I didn't know how to sew but when I learn how to do it, it brought me so much joy. In December I sent those first dresses and to my joy and surprise, I received photos of children wearing them. In 2016 my relatives and friends helped me with fabrics and I was able to sewn even more dresses and shorts, which were sent in December. Nowadays I've got more than 100 pieces sewn which I intend to send in December to help to bring happiness to the children! I'm really grateful and proud of being part of this beautiful project that helps to spread love to the world!
P.S: please forgive me if there are any writing mistakes :)
I have been involved with Little Dresses for Africa since early 2009. I have organized many sewing days where groups of friends got together to make dresses and I have lost count of how many dresses I personally have made. In June 2009, I was blessed to travel to Ethiopia and Kenya with LDFA. That trip changed my life! To be able to see first hand the impact that these dresses make, not only for the little girls that receive them, but for the entire community who experience the love and hope of Jesus. I also support LDFA through fundraising efforts whenever possible by donating money and collecting items such as school supplies for the school they built in Malawi. This is an organization that is truly committed to the people they serve. Not only do they provide clothing for the children, they have also done big projects like building a school and digging wells to provide for the long term needs of the community. I look forward to making another trip to Africa with LDFA in the near future.
Sewing for this charity gets me out of bed each day. I learned how to sew 5 years ago when I was expecting my 1st baby. When I lost the baby and found I would never be a mother, just seeing my sewing machine and all the children’s patterns broke my heart. I am now 37 with severe fibromyalgia pain that keeps me in bed a lot of the week. I had always dreamed of returning to Uganda to volunteer and felt useless that I couldn’t even leave my house most of the time. I came across Little Dresses for Africa on Facebook on one of those days I was stuck in bed & feeling sorry for myself & I was inspired to dig out the cute special patterns and fabrics I had hidden away. Sometimes a week or two will go by before I’m able to sew, but the fact that I’m able to do something for someone else makes me feel like my time is valuable again. I pray for the little one who will get the dress or shorts while I sew and it brings me closer to God. I’m not sure if the woman who started this charity is aware how life changing the charity can be for the people who create the dresses & shorts. I feel so blessed from the charity she’s created and am so glad my work is much appreciated. I love that this charity works two-fold. I feel happy making the dresses & somewhere out there, girls feel happy wearing my dresses.
I have been following Little Dresses for Africa for while now on Face Book and applauding the fine work they do. I have been stockpiling fabrics and trims and watching You Tube videos on how to make the dresses so I can help. I love seeing the photos of the little girls wearing their pretty dresses!
A friend introduced me to Little Dresses - she'd been sewing for them and then chose to join them for a delivery trip to Malawi. I shared this information with another friend and she began sewing pads for the girls. This non-profit fills in many gaps for the children.
I have sewn dresses, britches and personal hygiene items for LDFA. Was blessed
last August 2016 to travel with LDFA to Malawi. To see the blessings of God
delivered through this nonprofit organization was such an honor. Bringing little girls
dresses, building wells to make clean water available, building schools, and so much more.
Awesome way of sharing to bring blessing to others.
My 16 year old niece and I learned how to make these dresses last week. They are very simple yet provide so much dignity for the girls who receive them. We are making more to send. It is a great way to make a huge impact in the lives of those less fortunate.
This wonderful charity is spreading God’s love and sending hope to many, many places. The little dresses , britches and other items are lovingly hand made by amazing volunteers! Many of the clothing items are works of art . These beautiful ladies and gentlemen, are far more blessed than the children who receive them!
LDFA has built schools, dug wells, supported the efforts to abolish child marriage, and more .
I am honored to volunteer here.
God bless you !
I heard about this organization off of a sewing blog last year. I recently had gotten back into sewing and also was planning a 2-week mission trip to Malawi, Africa. The directions looked super easy and the dresses I saw on the website looked adorable. I started sewing, started going to thrift stores for more pillow cases and people started donating items (like cases and buttons and ribbon) to the cause. I personally made and hand-delivered 150 dresses last year and another 100 that I made and took this year and want to thank the LDFA website for the idea, the directions and all the stories about what they’re doing throughout the year. I made sure that each dress I made had a unique embellishment on it (like buttons or bows or flowers) that will eventually fall off but will give that little girl their own “treasure”. The kids where I go don’t have toys and “treasures”. I am planning on going back to Malawi next spring or summer and will be staying for 12-15 months working at an orphanage and special needs school. One of the things I want to do while I’m there is teach sewing to the Women and girls. I love seeing what Rachel and her team are doing to bring hope and encouragement to the people all over Africa! She has such a great organization with so many volunteers from all over the world.
I fully support Little Dresses for Africa. Having been to Africa twice, it is so apparent to me that these wonderful people need assistance. The poverty is widespread and so many are in need of so much. Monthly, I make santi-panties for the maturing girls. The girls do not have feminine hygiene products available to them (very expensive) and unfortunately studies have shown that when they start their periods, many quit school. By having washable santi-panties, they are able to continue their education with dignity and self-confidence. A wonderful organization!
Little Dresses For Africa allows me to use my sewing skills to help clothe little girls and boys in underdeveloped nations. Seeing the photos of these precious children lighting up with joy when they receive a brand new article of clothing that is just for them is priceless. Anyone with basic sewing skills can make a simple dress or pair of shorts and LDFA will make sure it gets into the hands of a child in need.
Loved being able to make good use of my stash of fabric and share God’s love for these little beauties. The LDFA staff work so very diligently to spread the Word and bless the recipients of the little dresses and britches with the love sent around the world, stitch by stitch.
This an incredible organization! When I travelled to Uganda to visit orphanages, they gave me two suitcases full of dresses and shorts-the kids and their caretakers were thrilled. Such great work!
LDFA is the only nonprofit I know that helps both recipients AND donors live better lives. The amazing good they do for the children is self evident and I won't speak to it here. But they are also doing amazing things for the people who make the dresses. Take my mom. A couple of years ago she was housebound, lonely, bored, feeling unproductive, and often sad. I told her about LDFA and asked her to help me make some dresses and what a change! She's made over 300 of them now, and feels so proud and happy to do it. Her life is immeasurably enriched: 1. She is creative again, 2. She has a purpose and is making a difference in the world, 3. It uses things that might otherwise be wasted (old pillowcases, leftover ribbons & lace, & etc.) and having grown up poor, she hates waste! 4. She feeds needed, rather than a burden on society. Thank you LDFA for giving meaning and joy to my mom's life. And most importantly -- thank you for helping the children.
What an honor to sew a pretty dress for a beautiful child to let her know in a tangible way that God loves her.
I became involved with this organization a little over three years ago. I was not a sewer, so I had to watch youtube to learn to make the little dresses and shorts. I have made a dress a day and several pairs of shorts in each package I mail monthly off to LDFA. Friends and family keep me supplied in fabric and thread. My grandchildren have now joined me in making dresses and shorts. I am so thankful to this organization for helping children by sending dresses and shorts all over the world.
Nancy Lewis
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After suffering two small strokes , I was sitting home feeling sorry for my self. I came across a story about a woman, Miss Lillian, who was 99 years old at the time. She sewed a dress a day for LDFA and hoped to reach 1000 dresses by her 100th birthday. I thought if she could do it, I could do that. So I saved for a sewing machine and watched sewing videos on YouTube to try and remember what the strokes had robbed me of. That first dress took me hours to complete, but I did it! I proudly posted it on Facebook. My friends and family have all joined in with fabric, thread, elastic etc. to make sure I finish 30 dresses and now 30 shorts as well , a month. Just as I get low on fabric, a box of fabric always seems to arrive in the mail. Sometimes from friends I haven't seen in over 50 years. All because of the dream of one woman. Planting in the hearts of little girls, that they are worthy.
I found this wonderful charity about 4 years ago, but I really should say it found me... It's a God thing...Four years ago I received my copy of Sew News in the mail. Skimming through it, I happen to come across an article for Little Dresses for Africa. "What an interesting program I thought to myself, something I could really get into."
But I had no time to think about it as I grab my grocery list. I had to get myself ready for my mission trip to Maine. "I'll look into it when I return."
So a couple of weeks go by, and I head down to the South Shore for a cookout to meet up with all the other folks headed to Maine. It's was great to see old friends and make new ones. During this time I notice a child with a particular type of dress on. Curious I ask her grandmother, who is joining us this year, is that..? "Yes," she says," There is a woman I know who makes them..isn't it cute, it's a pillowcase dress."
I am stunned. "Okay, You have my full attention now."I whispered to myself, as I finally listened to that voice inside that's been haunting me since I skimmed that article.
Eager to begin, I call my mother the following day, asking if she would like to help. After I tell her my story, I am greeted with silence, a minute ticks by(so it seemed)... then a whisper, "Oh Julie, this is an answer to a prayer!"
" Dear God, years and years of fabric and such, and what am I to do with it all." was a prayer my mother sent up each day, waiting for an answer.
Here it was…. And so it began..
I put an ad in our local paper for pillowcases, notions and sewers, the response was overwhelming, I was flooded with donations, which continues to this day.
Four years later we now have a group of ladies who get together twice a month at my church to sew, laugh and ohh and ahh at each dress that is sewn. At the end of the day, each woman takes home supplies and continue sewing... and then we start again..
Julie Kesterson
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In 2010, I sent up a prayer to St Therese ( who loved the missions) and asked her to use MY hands from MY HOME To help in anyway she chose. THE VERY NEXT DAY, I received my very first catalog called Nancy's notions in the mail. When I opened up the catalog, an insert fell out, I picked it up and it was a picture of a poor little girl asking would you please take an hour and sew for me? Immediately I knew this was the ministry Saint Therese was giving me. I bought a sewing machine, a serger, and taught myself to sew. I started with pillowcase dresses then graduated to fabrics, and now I even design my own little dresses sending them to little dresses for Africa , and some to with real hope for Haiti and two of my doctors go on yearly mission trips to Third World countries and bring at least 100 dresses / boys shorts every time . I even met a stewardess on a Delta flight that was going on a mission trip to Mexico visiting orphanages she ended up taking 100 dresses as well and shorts . I can truly see how God has blessed me to help HIS precious little ones . I have taught students who need community service hours to sew little dresses, and drawstring totes, ( for LDFA) and Yearly, I teach seniors in high school ( for their senior projects) to sew little dresses. So far I have sewn and sent over 4,000. And I am not stopping! I love what Rachel O Neil began.. a mission of Love and Service! God Bless You Racehel!
I always told myself that when I retired I would find worthy causes to sew for. LDFA fits the bill perfectly for me. I can sew at my own pace, and I am not limited to just pillowcase dresses. I like sewing simple dresses from a variety of independent pattern makers. I'm supporting little girls AND small business at the same time, plus using my considerable "stash." It's a win-win-win for me! And I also want to mention that Rachel has consistently been available via e-mail whenever I've had questions; a rare trait.
This is a wonderful group of men and women who truly do gods work. I love volunteering with Little Dresses for Africa and everyone is very warm and inviting. My first day helping out I already felt like family.
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I have been volunteering with this organization since October 2015 and I love working with all the volunteers packing and sorting gowns. Everyone is so wonderful and welcoming I look forward to volunteering twice a month. I also sew dresses and sanity pads for the girls and would highly recommend this organization to anyone looking to sew or volunteer there time.
I enjoyed making dresses for young children in developing countries. I also enjoyed being a volunteer for Little Dresses for Africa. As a volunteer located in Honolulu, Hawaii, I needed to email Rachel who is based in Michigan. Rachel was consistently responsive through email. I had an opportunity to appear on the KITV local news to talk about Little Dresses for Africa. The reporter reached out to Rachel to interview her. Fortunately part of Rachel's interview was included with my local news story about Little Dresses for Africa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmIucK1DVdQ
I'm glad that this non profit shines a light on global poverty. As Americans, we rarely see the extreme poverty that is happening all over the world. US media is often "America centric" and as a result, many people have no idea what is happening in other parts of the world. I believe it is important to understand what is happening globally so that we can collectively address these issues. What is happening thousands of miles away has the potential to negatively or positively affect my life here in the US. Therefore, I wish to be engaged, knowledgeable and active in being part of the "solution."
I love Little Dresses for Africa! I began sewing and donating the dresses to your organization approximately 8 years ago. Your organization has influenced our local missionaries to also organize, collect and distribute little dresses. I have sewed literally thousands of little dresses and am now leading a sewing group of ladies at our church. Your influence reaches far beyond your own organization, telling young girls they are worthy and they are loved! Thank you !
About three years ago I walked into my local yardage store and saw a poster about, "little Dresses for Africa!" It asked if one was inclined to take a packet and sew it up and return it to the store. All in all I did about maybe 25 dresses.
It was there I met Susan Chandler, who coordinates for Dress a girl around the world. I've been sewing with her and the girls for about three years now. We have send dresses all over the world. In effect, doing what Little Dresses does for the poor girls and boys (shorts) of the world!
Found out about littledressesforafrica.org in my Guideposts magazine. Their site was very informative to get me started sewing dresses for a good cause. Shipping to them was easy and a nice note was sent after they received my items. Open communication thru a nice website!
I have been sewing little dresses for missionaries for my church ONLY because I saw Little Dresses For Africa on the news. The organization is wonderful! They send more than dresses they send hope and life, and love.
Review from Guidestar
I adore Little Dresses for Africa. The heart behind the organization and the devoted volunteers who run it is absolutely inspiring. I have a found kindred spirits in the love, laughter and joy that is shared on so many levels with LDFA. They are not only planting value in the hearts of little girls around the world, they are restoring a sense of value in the hearts of those who serve alongside them. I am immensely grateful for the work LDFA is doing and the message of hope and healing they are spreading to EVERYONE involved!
Review from Guidestar
I live in Hawaii sew dresses for children in 3rd world countries our objective is to provide clothing to children to deter sex traffickers from indicting children. If a child looks clean and well taken care of they are less likely to be taken. Every child deserves to wear a clean dress with dignity and pride. I have made 20, 077 dresses, I been sewing the dresses since May 2010. Little dresses for Africa has helped me get dresses to the children, without their help not as many children could be helped. We are reaching the most needed areas of the world.
Little Dresses for Africa is not just sending dresses, we're sending HOPE! This non-profit, since 2008, has sent more than 4 million dresses all over the Continent of Africa and 31 countries beyond. The dresses are used as little Ambassadors to get into the Villages and Communities to teach simple lessons on clean water, sanitation and nutrition as well as to encourage widows and child-headed families. As relationships are formed, we identify a village that we can partner with for our 1,2,3...GO program. One: Clean water. Save lives now. TWO: a Primary school. Education changes tomorrow. Three: Multi-purpose building, for community gathering, exchange of information and worship. These three items sponsored by fund raisers through little dresses for Africa volunteers changes tomorrow for the people of Africa. www.littledressesforafrica.org
I'd like to update this to let everyone know that Little Dresses is growing and doing more all the time. We would love to have your help. Some sew. Some donate. Some organize the dresses for shipping. Some help with fund raisers. But, it takes us all1 Little Dresses for Africa is a christian non profit 501c3 organization dedicated to providing relief to the most vulnerable of God's children: little girls. We collect home made dresses, made of brightly colored pillow cases, and distribute them all over the continent of Africa, to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy. We supply them by sending them with mission teams, mailing them to NGO's and taking them ourselves on short term mission trips. During distribution, we conduct simple lessons on nutrition, clean water and sanitation. Donations have been received from all 50 states as well as Canada, Australia and the UK and have been distributed in 46 countries of Africa as well as other countries in crisis such as The Philippines, Haiti, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Guatamala. We believe that lives are changed here and across the ocean as gender, age and denominational lines are crossed as we help others. Groups can work independently of each other and send the donated dresses and now also shorts for boys, to Michigan for packaging and distribution. Mission groups can request as many dresses as they are able to distribute. We like to say, "We're not just sending dresses, we're sending hope."
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Little Dresses for Africa is a christian non profit 501c3 organization dedicated to providing relief to the most vulnerable of God's children: little girls. We collect home made dresses, made of brightly colored pillow cases, and distribute them all over the continent of Africa, to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy. We supply them by sending them with mission teams, mailing them to NGO's and taking them ourselves on short term mission trips. During distribution, we conduct simple lessons on nutrition, clean water and sanitation. Donations have been received from all 50 states as well as Canada, Australia and the UK and have been distributed in 31 countries of Africa as well as other countries in crisis such as The Philippines, Haiti, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Guatamala. We believe that lives are changed here and across the ocean as gender, age and denominational lines are crossed as we help others. Groups can work independently of each other and send the donated dresses and now also shorts for boys, to Michigan for packaging and distribution. Mission groups can request as many dresses as they are able to distribute. We like to say, "We're not just sending dresses, we're sending hope."