Ministry Stories
Sister Alexine collaborates on a "Pampering Day for Women"
A chance conversation with Kareeta, a hairdresser working in the multiracial area where Sister Alexine Anderson, CSJP, lives in London, led Alexine to a collaboration with several women on what became a “Pampering Day for Women”.
Kareeta wanted to raise funds for poor communities in Algeria, her husband’s country of birth, and to raise awareness of the poverty in that country – but how could she, a simple hairdresser, do that? She knew Alexine was committed to the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY goal and shared her concerns.
Alexine, who after an initial career as a teacher had trained as a reflexologist saw possibilities in their working together. Other friends joined in – a beautician offering to do facials, several offers of tea and cakes, someone who would take care of the publicity – and soon a whole team of women realised that they did have special skills and that together they could do something to effect change.
The women were successful in their objective and raised £1200 in one day. More than that, they themselves had a wonderfully empowering day, sharing conversation and laughter across several nationalities, races, creeds and ages. Alone, they might not even dream of such a project; together, they experienced their potential as far greater than they’d ever dreamt.