The Founder’s Story

by Jana Harp Dean.

September 11th, 2001 changed the trajectory of my life. That day and in the days to follow, I wept over the tragedy that had befallen my nation and for the lives cut short by terror.

In the days following September 11th, I learned of Afghanistan, the land used as the training ground for the terrorists. Documentary after documentary painted a picture of the brutality innocent Afghan women and girls endured under the horror or the Taliban reign. I watched the documentaries over and over, weeping and praying,

“God, this injustice ought not to be. What can I do? Can you use me?”

Scriptures that had leapt off the pages through my life were speaking to me again:

“Open your mouth for the speechless, on behalf of those appointed to die.” Proverbs 31:8

“…but he saves the needy from the sword, from the mouth of the mighty and from their hands so the poor have hope and injustice shuts her mouth.”
Job 5:15-16

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen; to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you…. extended your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul….”Isa. 58: 6-10a

…He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound….to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isa. 61:1-3

A vision for how to help began forming in my mind. It included not only training and education for women, but business ventures that would give them a place to develop their aptitudes and earn income to fuel their dreams and provide for their families.

With a dream and a firm faith in a God who loves the poor and who invites us to partner with Him to bring hope to the destitute, I began a journey that would ultimately take me to Afghanistan. Along the journey, there were many key divine appointments and milestones.

2002 I attended a business women’s meeting with 300 other women who had come to hear an Afghan woman who had sought refuge in the U.S. There I also had a divine appointment with a woman, a photographer, who would become a prayer partner and dear friend in this faith journey.

2003 I gathered friends to share my vision with them. They were moved with compassion and wanted to help. One lady in attendance had been invited by a friend of a friend. She connected me to a foundation that provided our first grant to launch our jewelry making project.

2003 I made my first trip to Afghanistan with my photographer friend. While there, I had the privilege of listening to Afghan women and weeping with them as they shared of the incomprehensible suffering and injustice they had experienced.

2003 American women sponsor Afghan girls to pursue an education to follow their dreams, dreams to become doctors, airplane pilots, teachers, and business owners.

2004 A jewelry-making project was launched to provide Afghan women with much needed opportunities to earn a fair wage and work in dignity.

2005 I came to a crossroads requiring a hard decision. The non-profit work filled my weekends and evenings and even my vacation time. I could stay in my full time job as a Product Marketing Manager at a technology company, enjoying the the salary and security the job afforded or I could step out in faith, believing that the God who loved the poor would sustain me and this work through His abundant resources.

I sold my condo and moved half way across the country from Virginia to Arkansas, my home state. There, people who believed in my vision provided housing for me, including family and a widow in my church who generously provided free accommodation in her basement for a year.

Free of a full time job, I was able to focusing full time on building the non-profit organization. My work included traveling, raising funds, developing a board, selling jewelry made by Afghan women, gathering volunteers, and planning a move to Afghanistan.

2007 I moved to Afghanistan and started a jewelry making business employing women in poverty. The tasks in front of me were daunting, including learning language, setting up a home and office (twice), hiring 14 workers, training a supervisor, producing jewelry, developing relationships with retail customers in Afghanistan and in the US, and selling jewelry. The 16 months in Afghanistan (2007-2008) were a very intense time.

2009 – Present The business started in Afghanistan continues under new management. OneMaker provides her with business coaching and jewelry designs as well as connections to U.S. retailers interested in purchasing and selling jewelry made by the artisans she employs. OneMaker is also providing these services to other groups in China and India, working with women in poverty, trapped in prostitution, or living in the slums.

photograph provided by Teressa Rerras, copyright 2008.