Once We Were Refugees

Prince of Peace, in early January 2020, recognized the “Once We Were Refugees” ministry founded by Pastor Bill (former interim pastor at PoP) and Ann Say.

Thank You from OWWR

“Thank you to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, Missouri. We joined them for a special refugee weekend in January for which an extraordinary ingathering of gifts for the OWWR program was received. We especially asked for much needed thread and not only did a very large amount of thread arrive, it was accompanied by seven new sewing machines, one used machine, a good supply of fabrics and a generous cash gift. All of that and the participants there also purchased a little over $600 worth of our students’ products, all of which goes into the pockets of the ones who made them!! It was a truly blessed weekend for OWWR students and graduates."  Pastor Bill & Ann Say

About Once We Were Refugees

Ann, along with a growing group of volunteers, teaches a nine week beginning sewing class to refugees in the Kansas City community. At the end of nine weeks, if the assignments have been completed satisfactorily, each student will take home the machine they have learned on, a new pair of scissors, an ironing board, thread, notions, and ten yards of fabric.

They are also eligible to move up to an intermediate class where they learn more complex sewing skills. Those students are enabled and encouraged to make items that are marked: “Handmade in the USA by Refugees” and then offered for sale at various events around the city. The proceeds of those sales are then returned to the students to help supplement family income. 

Click here for the Once We Were Refugees Website.