December 5, 2024
The Language of Friendship
December is a month of reflection, and this week, I took a moment to pause my work and look around the artisan center. There is creative chaos all around me. An unfinished project still sits next to a sewing machine because the Afghan woman stopped to help a girl from Myanmar understand the next step. Although neither spoke the other’s language, the Afghan woman confidently rattled off Dari to the Burmese girl to explain, and then showed her what needed to happen next. The girl left with her project finished. The universal language of a mother overcame the language barrier.
At another machine, a scattering of threads litters the floor, and the sewing machine light was left on. My friend from Somalia was determined to learn to sew and assert her independence by adding to her wardrobe. Each week, she looks through the donated fabrics to find a piece long enough to make another simple dress, modeled after the one in her crumpled grocery bag. Throughout most of class, a volunteer sits next to her to coach and encourage her. Neither woman speaks the other’s language, but smiles have a language all their own.
Smiles have a Language all of their Own
A pile of candle labels sits next to a tray of unwrapped soap, and my mind shifts to another set of memories. The last time we made candles, one girl chatted with me about her school projects. Another sister told me funny stories from school. They quietly chatted among themselves in Dari; their speech was rhythmic, with few noticeable pauses for breath. Initially, they had started as a group of two sisters, but they blossomed into three when stories of candle-making enticed a third sister to join the group. There are five sisters in the household, so now I nervously count heads when I pick up the group waiting by their front door. The laughter and chatting on the way to the office and back again warm my heart. Conversations are always a mix of their first and second languages as they engage with me and with each other.
The long table in the middle of the room is haphazardly covered with piles of fabric, rolled and unrolled. Shoeboxes of scissors, pins, and other tools are scattered across the surface. Two chairs are still ajar, reminding me of the day when a slim, shy lady from Myanmar remained behind after class. She wanted to share the story of her father’s passing. We pulled out chairs, and I practiced the art of listening while she shared her heart. At some point, I must have done something right, because my sweet friend knew that I would provide a listening ear. She speaks my language, each day with increasing confidence.
In 2024, the world experienced loss, tragedy, and pain
But down in an old breakroom for bank employees, we’ve built a new community of friendship. This year, the void created by missing their vibrant communities back home has been lessened by the friendships formed in classes at City of Refuge. Now, smiling ladies come down the basement steps and greet each other with hugs. Some days, I use a translation app to understand the needs, but the language of friendship always transcends any language barrier.
Regardless of language barriers, this year has been one of milestones for the Artisan Center at City of Refuge. We now have Global Artisans, women and girls from three countries and five languages. We partnered with The Shops at Sharp End to provide another venue for our artisans to sell their wares. We successfully pioneered our first Summer Market, so artisans could earn extra money, often sending it back to families suffering in third-world countries. We attended other markets, like the Heritage Festival and the Zipper Festival, as learning opportunities for budding entrepreneurs. There have been deaths in families, and there have been joyful additions. Volunteers have learned how to engage with women from around the world, even without sharing a common language. Ten-year-old girls, barely able to see over the top of machines, learned how to sew and “caught the creative bug.” Throughout the entire year, the language of friendship created an environment of learning, opportunity, and empowerment in this humble repurposed room. This language of friendship has crossed political boundaries, cultural divides, and religious differences as women formed bonds with others who shared similar experiences, even though they didn’t share a common language. Other than the language of friendship, of course.
Stefanie Nichols
Artisan Empowerment Specialist
CoMoGives is happening NOW!
What is CoMoGives? It’s an annual online fundraiser supporting 181 high-impact nonprofits in Columbia and Central Missouri. From December 1st – December 31st, 2024, you can donate any amount to one, two, ten, or more organizations—and every dollar goes directly to the nonprofits!
Your donation to City of Refuge makes a difference. It helps us sustain vital programs like our driving simulator, English classes, and artisan workshops, empowering refugees and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Be part of the season of giving and help us create a stronger, more compassionate community.
