Odile:  “I’m from Congo Brazzaville. I have six children and I used to work selling fruits and vegetables at the market. We enjoyed our life back then.

I was alone when I delivered my own first born and since that time it gave me courage to help other women deliver their babies in not ideal situations. Because of the conflict in 1999, we had to flee on foot to neighboring Gabon. I delivered babies for other women as we fled on foot together. These situations taught me courage and nothing scares me now.

We stayed in Gabon for another 10 years before we got the chance to be resettled to Austin, Texas. I arrived in Austin in 2009 and I struggled to make ends meet as a single mother and without many job opportunities. I found a supportive community at the MRC [Multicultural Refugee Coalition] where I completed a tailoring course. Because of the skills I have learned, I feel confident that I can do any job.”

Odile (right) with the Open Arms team. (c) amymelsaphotography.com

Odile brings great joy and encouragement to the women who join the team. (c) amymelsaphotography.com

Odile’s tailoring skills led her to a job at Open Arms. (c) amymelsaphotography.com

Odile’s tailoring skills led her to a job at Open Arms, the social enterprise of MRC, providing living wage work for refugee women in the private label textile manufacturing for socially conscious businesses where she still works today.

“I am a mother of 6 children but also the mama of Open Arms. I take care of everyone and hope that Open Arms grows to support many more women.” Odile brings great joy and encouragement to the women who join the team, supporting them along their journey just as she did for those who fled Congo.

Odile is part of Open Arms team that produces a line of home goods for IKEA launching this World Refugee Day in the Houston and Round Rock markets as IKEA’s first social enterprise in the USA.

Learn more about Open Arms https://youtu.be/PB_W1UmUQZM

Refugees. Ordinary people living through extraordinary times. Share their stories.