Meet Our
International Ambassadors
AVA! Ottawa, Canada!
My name is Ava, and I live in the capital region of Canada. As a little girl, nothing would make me happier than wearing bright colorful dresses. I was always in charge of dressing myself, and would protest my mom if she made me wear something I didn’t quite like! Since the pandemic started, I went hardcore on sewing my own clothes and documenting my projects on my blog dressedbyava.com as an escape from my hectic workdays. I've been enjoying it so much to the point I cannot imagine my life without my sewing machine. I came across the Dress A Girl campaign through an online search, and after reading about the mission - that every girl deserves at least one new dress - it reminded me of how ecstatic I used to get every time I got a new dress as a little girl so I knew right away that this was something I wanted to be a part of. In fact, there is no other cause closer to my heart than helping children and making them feel loved, and to know that I could be a part of that while doing what already is my beloved hobby, it was a no brainer for me to reach out and express my interest to Rachel. I look forward to contributing to this wonderful mission and make a difference in the world. Feel free to drop me a line at dressedbyava@gmail.com to join us.
I joined this project because even though Rio de Janeiro and Brazil are very rich in real beautiful nature, there are a lot of social problems that have to be solved.
The first step can be given by anyone of us who want to change the future of many children, with dignity and responsibility.
dressagirlbrasil@outlook.com
Thank you so much for the honor of beeing part of Dress a Girl Around the World Brazil and the carrier of joy and love for those who really need.
Cheers, Ana Beatriz Barbirato
LYN! Cape Breton Island, Canada!
Greetings, My name is Lyn Day and I presently am an owner of a very successful day care where children between the ages of 11 mo – 5 yoa learn: to socialize, life skills, the fundamental structure of education and play…we learn lots of play. 30 years ago I cared for trauma children that had been subjected to horrific actions at the hands of adults. Fostering was imperative to the healing and growth. Today working with kiddies is my main passion; seeing them flourish within arms of loving kindness and concern.
I learned to sew at the age of 3, in which my mother and aunt were adamant that I was successful at this skill. Throughout the years sewing was a way of life especially raising children on my own where the means to purchase just was not available.
Life has taught me very valuable lessons and a few are: 1. Standing firm for what is right in the face of adversity and calamity. 2. Firm but kind always breeds success. 3. Stay true to oneself, direction and desires.
Upon discovering Dress A Girl Around The World, it hit me
that I found something which resonated with my own person, past experiences,
present lifestyle and goals. Sincerely, I am looking forward to be an
Ambassador for this organization and putting smiles on girls faces…there is
nothing brighter than a full smile on small child’s face.
Email: lynday113@gmail.com
Barbara
Italy
My name is Barbara and I live in a village near the mountains , 50 kilometres from Turin.
I started sewing and crafting when I was little, worked as a tour leader while I was at Uni, qualified as an orthoptist , had three lovely sons, and very little time to follow my passion.
When my boys spread their wings I volunteered teaching Italian to foreigners and as a guide in a Felt Museum. I then became the workshop Coordinator, organising felting, weaving and paper making workshops for school children, families and people with physical and mental disabilities.
My most heart felt project was making the Museum blind/visually impaired friendly.
Now I pursue my old passion, sewing children and baby clothes and accessories and this is how I started reading about various charities sewing for children.
I started talking about this beautiful project to friends and local groups and we aim to combine teaching sewing with making lots of pretty dresses with all the care and love we will be able. Contact : bzangelmi@gmail.com
Ann! Kampala Uganda!
“Growing up in a small village in Uganda, my father passed away when I was two years old, my widowed mother had 9 children and I was the eighth born. She had little to take care of all of us as our needs were many. Even though she grew crops for our food and sold some for our education, we hardly had enough clothes and underwear. We had one dress each for daily use and one dress for the six of us daughters for Sunday. We would go to church in turns because we had one dress, which was too big for my size as my mom had bought it for my elder sisters' size, but I was always happy to put it on whenever it was my turn to go to church
I promised myself that when I grow up, I would make sure every little girl I know gets a little dress for Sunday and especially Christmas and underwear, and sanitary pads when I became a teenager!
That's my brief background of why I founded Ushindi Girls Hope.
I came to know about Dress a Girl through a friend on Facebook who told me there was a group on Facebook that does what I love to do so much. I started following Dress a Girl on Facebook and always checked on their page to copy ideas so that I would bless girls in my community, and whatever I would see on the page really touched my heart and I saw my vision live through Dress a Girl.
I saw Rachel Eggum Cinader share a post on Facebook, I liked everything she shared and contacted her as my passion of what she does couldn't keep calm in me.
I am so glad to be the ambassador of Dress a Girl in Uganda, I am looking forward to using this platform to reach out to millions of Ugandan little girls, blessing them with little dresses,
This is a dream come true for me🙏”
Welcome Ann! We’re honored to have you represent us in your part of Uganda!
Contact Ann: girlshopeuganda2020@gmail.comWivi
Sweden
I’m a 62 year old retired grandmother. I have worked 30 years at the local hospital, most of the time as a children's nurse. I also have a horticultural education and I love garden design.
I’m born in Copenhagen and when I was seven we moved to Halmstad, Sweden.
I have sewed clothes all my life and now I have a grandchild in UK who is 3.5 years old who love when "farmor" sew here a pink and purple dress. So I know how important it is for a girl to have a dress with pockets.
My grandchild and I we each have a cozy cat called Charlie and every week they talk to each other over Skype.
I have studied child psychology in my education to a children's nurse and I know how important it is to have a doll or some other precious thing that is only yours.
I will speak warmly to all how important it is to send away a doll in every pocket because it can give the child a little comfort and someone to talk to. Email: wivi.winberg@gmail.com
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ENGLISH VERSION:
My name is Danielle Giovi Abrahamsson, and I move to Sweden in 2017, living in Gothemburg. Since I arrive here I wanted to get involved in a project, but could not find one that really moved me, until a friend sent me the link of “Dress a Girl around the World”. Most of my life I worked in the art market, but as I was in a new country I decided to pursue an old dream that is to become a seamstress. As soon as I saw the project I knew it was what I was looking for. I want to help these girls in need to be secure but also to bring joy and happiness to their lives. Let´s make a difference in little girl’s lives. If you want to help, even if you can’t sew, contact me!
e-mail: daniele.abrahamsson@protonmail.com
SWEDISH VERSION:
Jag heter Danielle Giovi Abrahamsson, och jag flyttar till Sverige år 2017, bosatt i Gothemburg. Sedan jag kom hit ville jag bli involverad i ett projekt, men kunde inte hitta någon som verkligen rörde mig, tills en vän skickade mig länken "Klä en tjej runt om i världen". Största delen av mitt liv arbetade jag på konstmarknaden, men när jag var i ett nytt land bestämde jag mig för att driva en gammal dröm som ska bli en sömnstress. Så fort jag såg projektet visste jag att det var det jag letade efter. Jag vill hjälpa dessa tjejer att vara säkra, men också att ge glädje och lycka till sina liv. Låt oss göra skillnad i små tjejs liv. Om du vill hjälpa, även om du inte kan sy, kontakta mig!
e-mejl: daniele.abrahamsson@protonmail.com
I hope to help girls to build confidence and improve their self esteem, but above all I am happy making the dresses to cover and protect their little bodies. Making some difference in their lives somehow even being a little is absolutely gratifying.
As an international partner I want to spread the idea of the Project and keep making dresses to send to the girls in need.
E-mail me at dagatwportugal@gmail.com
Please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dressagirlaroundtheworldportugal/?fref=ts
Blog: http://dressagirlpt.blogspot.pt/p/como-costurar.html
Also on instagram! Instagram - dressagirlaroundtheworld_pt
Macau
Kikas
I am Portuguese, born in Mozambique and currently living in Macau. I have always loved arts and crafts, but in the recent past this hobby started to play a more serious role in my life.
I had a dream that one day I would volunteer around the world.
I have been involved in several
campaigns to help some countries in need like Mozambique and Timor. I also make
monthly donations to various associations in Macau and Portugal because I like to help people in need.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
Two years ago I came across the story of a 99 year-old lady who sews a dress per day for children in Africa. This touched my heart.
When I discovered the website “Dressing A Girl around the world” I knew right then that was something that I wanted to do and gave me the idea of bringing the project to Macau.
I want to give a special thanks to Vanessa Campos from Dress a Girl Around the World– Portugal, for giving me precious advice and for making me believe that I could implement the project in Macau.
What I wish is for every little girl to feel special and loved when she receives a new dress.
You can find me : dressagirlaroundtheworldmacau@gmail.com
Or: https://www.facebook.com/groups/718730981633919/
At the moment I’m doing a postgraduate course in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which I’m really enjoying.
I heard about Dress a girl around the world three years ago when chatting to a Canadian lady. I found this inspiring and started sewing two years ago, gradually getting a few more involved. At that time there was a Norway group which I was I contact with through FB. When it came to sending dresses their distributor was no longer available and the original group was no longer possible to contact. I’ve had to assume that after various searches that there is no longer any other dress a girl groups here in Norway.
When it comes to our group we are about 6 people who sew, and we meet approx every other month. As mentioned, Atnaf, our distributor is a lady from Ethiopia, who came as a refugee to Norway many years ago. She’s a nurse and family therapist and travels regularly to her home country to visiting churches and run courses to help parents in parenting skills. She gives the dresses directly to those she meets in need. We make dresses with little short sleeves to cover shoulders, and always with a good size pockets. In the pockets we put a gift - hair clips, a pair of underpants or similar.
Jacqui Onslow! UK Partner!
I was a Textiles teacher for over 30 years, taking early retirement last year. I was Head of Technology and Head of Years 10 & 11 at a local girl’s independent school. I have four grown up children – three girls and a boy, and a grandson born in May 2013.
I became involved with an educational charity in Uganda several years ago; I introduced this charity to my school and started fundraising events. The girls at my school were very privileged, and I wanted them to realise that not all children were in the same position. When I left they gave me a large donation to the charity as a leaving present, so I know that the photos and stories I told made an impression on them. In fact they still contact me to ask if they can work out in Uganda or support us in some way whilst they are at university. I have now visited Uganda several times, teaching Textiles (tailoring) to children and teachers in the orphanages and schools we support.
I came across Dress a Girl via a Textiles teacher group on Facebook, and was immediately drawn to it as it seemed to combine all my interests. I have been making patterns, collecting fabric and sewing some dresses. We took out some of the dresses to Uganda and the looks on the faces of the girls there showed me that this is something I would really like to become involved in, all girls deserve pretty dresses. Next time I go out I will take out the pattern and teach groups in Jinja how to make these dresses so that they can make the dresses for themselves and others. Seeing the faces of these girls when they have made something themselves is so rewarding, being able to support themselves is so important.
This is an amazing charity, such a good idea, I am looking forward to making, collecting and delivering dresses.
Email Jacqui-dressagirl@outlook.com
UK website: www.dressagirlaroundtheworlduk.co.uk
Keene
Okinawa and Japan
I recently retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service. My passion is sewing and I have sewn for charity for various organizations, that is what brought me to the Dress A Girl website. Once I read the mission of dressing every girl around the world, I new that was something I wanted to do. I contacted the Rep in my state at the time and she provided me with more information. From there I took pillowcase donations from friends and started making dresses and sending them. Since then I have moved to Japan, and looked for a representative here to get involved and could not find one. My goal as the representative for Japan is to bring awareness to this country and continue getting donations and making dresses. I would like to send at least 100 dresses or more this year. For more information please contact me at dressagirljapan@gmail.com
I try to donate these dresses to areas close to us but we have donated to the following: Fiji (Homes of Hope), Uganda (Fountain of Peace Foundation), Brazil (Street Children), Cambodia (Street Children), Vanuatu, Vietnam (Christina Noble Foundation), Operation Christmas Box.
I love to help people and if you are like-minded please get in touch with me.
Please contact me at my email: wilson302@xtra.co.nz
Susana
Switzerland
My name is Susana and I live in Geneva. I knew this lovely project through Vanessa Campos in Portugal where I'm a volunteer. Me and two other friends, Eliana and Filipa, who have a shared love for sewing, immediately thought that we had to embrace and share this project were in Switzerland.
We want to carry this positive energy farther. The smile in these children's faces will make an important difference in their lives and we want to make part of this movement of love, and therefore helping those who need it most.
A special thanks to Dress a Girl Around the World that stands for this cause and we hope to help you flourish this wonderful project.
Eliana Trindade, Filipa Carvalho and Susana Matos
Contact us,
dressagirlaroundtheworldsuisse@gmail.com
Visit us in our Facebook!
Evelyne! France!
I’m Evelyne Maret and I’m living in France, in a small town named Saint-Genest-Malifaux, near Saint-Etienne, with my farmer companion.
It was in Switzerland, a few years ago, that I discovered the association with Susana Matos. It was love at first sight, between my passion for sewing and the humanitarian work!
It is with great pleasure that I want to develop this project in the region where I live (in France) and if possible, to spread it on to other people’s hearts!
I am very happy to be part of this Wonderful project, to sew new dresses for little girls in need.
Lovely regards to all!
For all information, send me a message at: terameve@gmail.com
---------French --------
Bonjour,
Je m’appelle Evelyne Maret et je vis en France dans un bourg qui se nomme Saint-Genest-Malifaux, près de la ville de Saint-Etienne, avec mon compagnon qui est agriculteur.
C’est en Suisse avec Suzana Matos que j’ai découvert il y a quelques années l’association. Ce fut le coup de foudre immédiat, entre ma passion de la couture et celle de l’humanitaire !
Aujourd’hui j’ai à cœur de faire découvrir cette œuvre dans la région où je vis ( la France) et si possible de la propager dans le cœur de plusieurs !
Je me réjouis beaucoup de faire partie de ce magnifique réseau d’entraide pour des fillettes qui méritent qu’on leurs cousent de jolies robes !
Salutations à tous,
Evelyne Maret