Seven days of silence. Can you imagine? She was small for her age, a mere 16 years old but pregnant. For years, her brother and “caring” uncle had repeatedly sexually abused her. One day, she became pregnant. That is when I met her.

Medani* was sent by court order to Ma-Sevana, a home for mothers aged 10—18 who are the survivors of rape or incest in Sri Lanka. While this place would protect her, she had been taken from her home, friends, education... her childhood. The result was seven days of silence and longing stares that could not be overcome by counseling. However, there was a glimmer of hope, and it came in the form of small glass beads. Medani took an interest in stringing together colorful beads supplied by Emerge. After one day of beadwork, she spoke. Three weeks later, she had become a leader in the home, helping other girls create beautiful beadwork.

Emerge Global is dedicated to empowering women who have survived abuse to rediscover and celebrate their personal beauty, develop their self-sufficiency, and become leaders within their own communities.

Emerge Global supports Sri Lankan girls, ages 10–18, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse. The Emerge Bead Program equips these girls with skills and resources for their futures, using a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes leadership, life skills, and business knowledge, while simultaneously generating a financial foundation for each program participant through the creation of unique jewelry. To date, Emerge Global has transformed the lives of more than 170 girls who, despite tremendous obstacles, are now building houses, running businesses, and supporting other young women with the skills and resources they developed through Emerge.