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 is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based dually in Boston and Sri Lanka. Emerge Global enables girls who have survived abuse to become entrepreneurial jewelry designers through a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes personal discovery, mentorship, and business knowledge, while simultaneously generating savings for their futures. To date, more than 80 girls from all parts of Sri Lanka have taken part in the Emerge Bead Program.