Amani ya Juu (“peace from above” in Swahili) is a sewing and reconciliation program for marginalized women established in Nairobi, Kenya with a sister center in Uganda. Women at Amani centers come from different circumstances. Some are living as refugees, others have lost family, some are sick with HIV/AIDS, and most all are widowed, being the sole provider of income. The women are learning to work together through faith in God who provides a peace that transcends all cultural and ethnic differences. Amani portrays a unique picture of diversity, with women coming from many African nations and cultures.

Amani began in 1996 with four women sewing placemats together in Nairobi. Since then, Amani has grown to hundreds of women representing ethnic groups and experiences from all across Africa. As women return to their homelands, they carry Amani with them. Each Amani center is locally registered and independently managed with support from the Board of Directors (Becky Chinchen, Executive Director). A  warehouse in Washington DC was established in 2007. In 2011 it became apparent that a new space was needed to better serve as a distribution center. Joanna Vaughn along with her husband Pete found a facility in Chattanooga, TN  that could house the U.S. warehouse. In 2023 a cafe, the Livingstone, was opened in Chattanooga next door to the Amani store.

Amani Chattanooga

the Livingstone cafe

Amani Ya Juu

Prayer Requests:

• For God’s sustaining hand and transformational peace on all Amani participants
• For Becky Chinchen and her leadership role with Amani in Nairobi, Kenya
• For Pete and Joanna Vaughn, their children, and the staff at Amani Chattanooga
• For a broader and greater number of customers purchasing Amani products
• For success of the Livingstone coffee shop and Amani store in Chattanooga