FREE is a faith-based Christian developmental organization committed to empowering women to rise above poverty. The staff is mostly women (and a few wonderful men) helping other women – our sisters – to be released from the bondage of poverty. Our vision is single mothers and widows starting successful businesses that support their children and dependents; married women contributing to the well being of their families; and for children to be attending school and to go to bed at night with full stomachs.
There are 3 main areas of focus with the women:
1. Develop financial literacy
2. Teach dignity and worth curriculum
3. Develop enterprises related to sewing and fabrics
FREE has long been a dream in the heart of Dawn Close. While living in southern Africa over the course of 22 years she was often troubled by the widespread poverty experienced by hard-working people amidst abundant resources. Dawn taught sewing to People Living With AIDS and AIDS orphans. Eventually she started an income-generating sewing project for impoverished women. Dawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She attended Rhema Bible Training Center ’83. She has earned a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied international development. Dawn resides in Lusaka,Zambia to oversee the operations of FREE.
