Father’s Day is just around the corner…#June16
Langee Vicky was abducted by the LRA, but her future looks bright. Thanks to the simple purchase of a Mend bag. (at www.mend.co)
Take a small part of Africa with you everywhere you go. The Tree Tote, proudly made by African mothers.
Mend’s Yoga Mantra
Today marks the end of week 4 of yoga for trauma and we couldn’t be more proud of these ladies!
There is still time! Last chance for guaranteed domestic shipping to receive your bag in time for Mother’s Day. #May12 (at www.mend.co)
It was not a typical afternoon at Mend. Out in the yard, the women were somersaulting and dancing around on colorful mats, full of nervous energy. It was their very first yoga lesson.
Lolly Berger, of Pachamama’s Daughters Yoga, led them through the poses while Lapat Evelyn, the Mend social worker, translated her directions into Luo. It was all so new. There was some whispering, some giggling. By the end, though, the women sat in silence, their eyes closed, thinking about the people in their lives whom they love and who love them.
The yoga lessons are continuing for six weeks as part of a study to determine if yoga therapy can reduce the effects of trauma. Many of the women at Mend reported that they experienced frequent nightmares. Lolly is hoping that by teaching them breathing techniques to calm themselves, they will be better able to handle stress in their lives and reduce the likelihood of nightmares.
“I’m hoping that yoga practice will be a tool they can continue to use on their own to stay healthy physically and emotionally,” Lolly shared.
Now five classes in, the ladies look forward to the prospect of getting to stretch their muscles after sitting so much of the day. Evelyn said they are also finding that yoga affects them on a deeper level.
“One woman commented that when she kept quiet and thought about herself and her family, it went deep in her heart and she realized she was also someone important,” Evelyn explained.
The ladies say that they plan to continue practicing what they’ve learned to stay fit and de-stress after work – one of them even plans to teach her children.
Ajok Pauline is a big fan. She says her favorite part of the yoga lesson is meditation. “While the instructor mentions words like love, peace and forgiveness, it gives me a feeling to reconcile with the people who might have done wrong to me.”
19 of MEND’s 22 seamstresses ran in the N. Uganda Marathon yesterday in support of maternal healthcare. We were reminded of a tragedy at another marathon just two weeks ago; here’s to hoping that Boston is on the mend.
