As a survivor of neo-slavery, Betty Nzilani struggled to rebuild herself upon returning home because she did not know of any person or organizations that would support her to heal from what she had been through.

She had been to Lebanon and had seen the

better part of the gulf, her experiences in the

middle east opened her view to the world

and even more so, to what girls working in the

middle east go through.

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We asked her what inspired her to start

Lani Apparels, and why Lani? 

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“Through my struggles," she answered,

 "I developed the desire to connect with those who go through the challenges that I went through. Though I managed to pull myself together after the horrific experiences in the gulf, many girls still find it so

 

hard to recover from the post-traumatic disorder as returnees. I figured that I needed to do something. That's how Lani was born. LANI is derived from my name Nzilani, a fashion house where we make apparel.

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Through fashion I thought, I'd try and address such a huge challenge faced by thousands of women from East Africa. These women immigrate to the gulf every so often in search of a better life but instead end up in abuse, slavery, and in some cases, death.”

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                                          Betty Nzilani has is creating Lani Foundation                                                   under Lani apparels to give such survivors a                                                   second chance at life by equipping them with                                                 apparel designing skills, employment, and a                                                   chance to start up their fashion stores.                                                             Additionally, counseling and mentorship would be                                       provided so that these people can rejoin society stronger and more stable.

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Setting up such an institute that would provide the learning grounds, trainers and equipment would require a huge amount of investment. Betty has already acquired some space, equipment, designers, and trainers but she is still seeking partnerships to sponsor the returnee girls for this mentorship program. Please                   today to support a returnee girl under Lani foundation.

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