Twice Upon A Dress: Weddings in Malawi

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Weddings in Malawi

The traditional engagement ceremony of Twice Upon a Dress co-founder Jocelyn Kumwenda

Twice Upon a Dress co-founder Jody Stephenson has had the privilege of being part of many African weddings. This encouraged her to see the need for bridal, bridesmaid and formal gowns in Africa. Americans often wear formal dresses once. Twice Upon a Dress allows you to donate a dress for use in Africa.

Wedding of Steven and Miriam Chisale

Here is her comment on the value of donated American dresses: "Anyone who has the privilege to attend a celebration, wedding or a weekly church service in Malawi knows that men, women and children alike come dressed to define 'Sunday best.' Most American bridesmaid dresses would be completely appropriate for the occasion- even for simply attending the wedding or event. American dresses are different from Malawian “traditional wear,” for sure. They are more about shimmer and lace than color and shape. In the end, it’s about feeling beautiful, and Malawian women don’t hesitate to wear what makes them feel beautiful."

Jody Stephenson above to the right of the wedding couple

Wedding of Ruth and Mafera Mwenda, this wedding dress was donated to support scholars

If you have a bridal, bridesmaid or formal gown you are not using and would like to donate, please email twiceuponadressglobal@gmail.com.

1 comment:

AnonymousNovember 16, 2013 at 12:07 AM
The wedding dress and the dress which is wear by her friends both are very good and very beautiful. I must say the choice of bride is very different and very unique. So, thanks for this sharing.

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Our Story

Founders
Twice Upon A Dress was founded by Jocelyn Kumwenda and Jody Stephenson in 2013. Jocelyn and Jody had been partnering for years to support school fees and other educational expenses for a young girl in Malawi. In the process of her story, they discovered many other young girls and boys who were struggling to achieve their dreams.

Location
In a country where many people live on less than $2 per day, school fees can be too large of a burden to bear. High school in Malawi may cost $35-150 per semester and there are three terms per school year. These fees do not include the cost of transportation to and from school, mandatory uniforms, or expenses for basic necessities or examination fees. As a result, many students stop at Grade 8, leaving them unprepared for employment and life itself. Global unemployment rates for youth are at their highest. Continuing one's education opens doors to opportunities, whether it is in their rural home village or an urban city.

Purpose
Jocelyn and Jody decided to address the need for educational support with abundant existing resources. Many women have out of use dresses in their closets for years that are not given away because each dress comes with a story of a wedding, prom, holiday party or special evening. What if there was a way to remember them and then these dresses were given a chance for a second story? Donated dresses can be featured on our website and will create a promise of a future story, to be worn again, toward new memories. Twice Upon A Dress believes that these dresses not only offer a second life to another wearer but also bring young African scholars closer to completing secondary school and realizing the fullness of their potential.