OUR STORY
Women to Women - Girls to Girls
OUR STORY
Fashion Co-Operative
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In 2011, the Blue Butterfly’s Executive Director, Lauren Yanks, was working in Nepal when she was asked to join a community women’s meeting. Lauren was deeply touched by the level of commitment and care the women and girls held for each other. Using donations from women in the US, Lauren was able to help the Nepalese women purchase a sewing machine, fabric and other necessities to start a fashion co-operative with a mission to empower the women and create self-sufficiency.
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NIRMALA MAGAR
A bright and talented young member of the group, Nirmala Magar, took charge of the sewing machine. At just sixteen years old, she taught herself how to sew and began making beautiful clothes for local women. She began running classes and taught girls living vulnerable lives how to create patterns, work with different kinds of fabric, and create gorgeous and functional clothes and accessories.
STOREFRONT
Nirmala and the Blue Butterfly Foundation now provides the girls with a temporary home and an opportunity for a better life. The project continues to grow, with girls and women in need joining each day.Â
Within a few years, Nirmala started selling the clothes out of the front of her family's home—her first store! It became very popular among the local population and she struggled to keep up. More and more vulnerable young women came aboard to help.
