The idea for REdress was conceived by women from very different cultures yet sharing in a passion for rescuing young women out of sex-trafficking in Dar es Salaam.  The idea is pretty simple and straightforward.  Women from the States donate their wedding dress to provide a small wedding gown rental business for women formerly slaves to selling their bodies for survival. 

 Though the statistics for slavery of all kinds are staggering across East Africa, the voices of these women are never heard.  They are silenced by shame and hopelessness. 

We started out seeking to give voices to the women of Dar es Salaam.  We started interviewing women in the community.  We visited their homes and their workplaces and we listened.  The ideas and passion that came from the hearts of these women was overwhelming.  The insight, wisdom and ideas were overflowing, making it even more frustrating that they are never heard.  At the end of every conversation each woman offered up a service that they could give in order to help these women.  We started seeing a fight in them and the power and change that could come from uniting our voices.

This unity among women can extend across continents by women taking a stand together.  Generosity of the western bride will unite with our local Tanzanian women who are passionate to make a change.  Together we can fight to have a voice and be heard.

What: The idea for redress came from a simple conversation between two friends about the huge price of wedding gown rentals in Tanzania.  Over months this conversation developed into a full-blown idea for a ministry; starting a Wedding Dress Rental Business as an avenue to provide alternative income and rescue for the many girls victimized by sex-trafficking in Dar es Salaam.

Addressing their physical need of income for food and shelter will lead us to address their greater need of restoration, rehabilitation and the good news of the gospel.  This will be done through many avenues including weekly discipleship and Biblical Crisis Counseling.

Why:  Dar es Salaam is the 9th fastest growing city in the world.  Young women are being brought into the city with promises of a job and better life.  They quickly find themselves forced into lives of slavery in the lucrative prostitution business of Dar es Salaam.  HIV and teenage pregnancy is rampant.  These girls find themselves shamed and unable to return home. 

How: Redress is a way for brides to fight sex-trafficking by simply donating their wedding gown.  Each gown can be rented from $150-$300 per day providing jobs for young women rescued out of sex-trafficking and sustaining way of generating funds for further rescue work. 

Who: Our Tanzanian colleague, Rehema, is helping to spearhead this endeavor.  Her heart’s desire is to rescue victimized young women in Dar es Salaam.  She will be trained this year and then managing the first REdress bridal-shop. This shop will act as a first step in rescuing these girls out of their current entrapment.  Steady income, discipleship and training will be provided.  In partnership with other generous Tanzanian women the girls will be taught how to tailor the gowns.  The final process of physical restoration will be training in small business and new bridal shops will be opened, duplicating the process. 

The goal is for the lives of these young girls to be transformed by the radical love and hope of the gospel.  In turn, our desire is for these girls to give a voice to other young women victimized by sex-trafficking.  Together our young women, with our brides, can have a voice and be part of starting a movement in Dar es Salaam fighting sex-trafficking.  Something as simple as a wedding dress can be the catalyst for this type of change. 

WANT TO DONATE YOUR BRIDAL GOWN?

Include your gown, name, email address, and picture of you in your gown (optional)

in a shipment to our REdress Stateside Coordinators:

Heather Linville 5691 Mason Rd, Mason OH 45040

OR

Whitney Ballentine 517 Hanna Avenue, Loveland OH 45140 

Click below to read "Judy's Story"