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Here's my latest article from VIP Williamson County: Franklin’s Rwandan Warrior By: THERESA LODE Jared Miller is a marked man. Literally. And while tattoos may be more common these days, the message on Miller’s tattoos isn’t. I mean, when was the last time you saw a tattoo in Latin? (And in case your Latin is a bit rusty, the words mean “Truth and Justice.”) And if you’re really curious, you can ask Miller to show you the brand he received on his forearms when he participated in the Kenyan Massai “Warrior” ceremony; a rite which involved drinking the blood of a bull.) He humbly tells me the Massai name given him: Olieg’noni. It means “The Bull.” No, he hasn’t been on any African version of “Fear Factor.” Nor is he a hip lawyer with an eclectic approach in the courtroom. (Besides, Miller’s never been to college---unless of course you don’t include his speaking engagements at places like Belmont University.) But yet, this 30-year-old Franklin resident is impacting lives a world away in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa. One might even say that, on the battlefield for the poorest of the poor, the Massai got it right—Miller is a Bull. His organization, Sisters of Rwanda, was founded a mere two years ago with Kenyan Pastor Joseph Ayienga. Its mission: To ensure justice, equality and sustainable economic opportunities for Rwanda’s most oppressed and vulnerable women. But you won’t find this mission statement engraved in gilded letters in a swank office. (Though Miller says he finds his small, open air, concrete home comfortable.) This is a brass tacks operation---the budget is lean and mean----and the day-to-day life raw, honest…and full of wonder for God. A long-time philanthropist, Sisters of Rwanda isn’t Miller’s first foray into humanitarian work. As the son of local best-selling author, Dan Miller and his wife Joanne, Miller was raised in a home where entrepreneurialism and community service go hand in hand. The plan- create an Rwandan- accessories brand made by the hands of women rescued from a life of prostitution and violence, in an environment safe for both them and their children. The brand name- “KEZA” (pronounced “kay-suh”). KEZA, traditionally spelled with all capitalized letters, means “Beautiful” in the native language of Kinyarwanda. Miller isn’t out to create another not-for-profit entity dependent upon itineration and guilt offerings generated by photos of the poor natives. And while the pictures are compelling, Social Capitalism is what’s driving this organization. Eventually, KEZA will become a self-sustaining, honest-to-goodness money generating enterprise whose end is to bring economic independence to those who would otherwise not have the chance. It’s a trend being seen more and more as traditional non-profit organizations compete for shrinking dollars. It’s a tough market out there. And Social Capitalism is reinventing how charitable giving is done. The “Teach-A-Man-To-Fish” model, if you will. Or in the case of Sisters of Rwanda, teach women to be business women who will make fashion industry products that will sell all over the world. From the comfort of our Williamson County homes, it may be hard to imagine the terror that these women have endured. Incomprehensible poverty and tribal warfare have driven many of the women into the horrors of prostitution. (Be sure and check out one of the Sister’s testimony at www.sistersofrwanda.blogspot.com.) But it is through the depth of these horrors that the stories of redemption shine. This year, Sisters of Rwanda has brought 42 women into safety and freedom. And over 100 children will be sent to school—a critical step in breaking the legacy of poverty and despair. The processes through which the KEZA necklaces are made seem poignant when one considers how what is regarded as worthless trash is turned into treasure. Paper is gathered from the littered streets and turned into strips of paper. From there, beads are rolled and strung. Three coats of varnish give the beads strength and brilliance. All in all, it’s a week long process which ends with a stunning one-of-a-kind necklace. Necklaces retail for $40 and 95% of the profits go directly back in to growing operations (and hence, opportunities for the women). Days at The Treasure Center (the facility where the work is done,) are both begun and ended with maintenance, cleaning or gardening duties for the large garden. Stewardship is emphasized by Miller, “God gave us this place and we need to treat it as such.” Their spirits are also nurtured daily through devotions and music; Pastor Joseph serves as their spiritual leader. It’s a glaring contrast from their former lives. Laughter and the voices of children are heard throughout the day as the women work. The atmosphere, while light-hearted, doesn’t mean quality is slip-shod. One of Miller’s toughest jobs has been to set a standard of excellence in their work. “I pull on those necklaces,” he gestures, “and if they come apart…well…” He shrugs. If a necklace doesn’t pass muster-no pay is received. But yet he sees the reward when quality goes up and a woman experiences the pride of a job well-done (and subsequent bonuses too). It’s a process that Henry Ford would be proud of. Part of Miller’s success is, no doubt, due to his commitment to live like the natives. He speaks the language (Kinyarwanda,) eats the food, (a rather bland vegetable-based affair) and drinks the water. (“It doesn’t kill me,” he says.) “That’s part of my commitment to serving Rwanda and its inhabitants. If I don’t live like them, I can’t understand them.” And his passion for Africa is palpable- Jared is a human Wikipedia on Rwandan history and culture. To that end, he is also working to effect social change. “We have been working for over a year now on criminalizing the solicitation of prostitution, meaning that the client would be penalized, which has never been done in Africa before. Since 2007, we have gotten our bill passed from the Ministry of Justice, to the Cabinet, to Parliament, where it was received very well. We are working with Parliament to officially pass the law now,” Jared states. When his isn’t putting in a 12-hour work day, Miller can be found at his Kigali home, hanging out on his porch, where 95% of his time is spent participating in the rhythms of life as they unfold in his neighborhood. He also enjoys tossing around a football or teaching kickboxing with the local the boys he “adopted” a few years ago. In the meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the work for Sisters of Rwanda is carried out in Franklin in “The Sanctuary.” The Sanctuary, an outbuilding on Dan and Joanne Miller’s property and home to their fulfillment center for Dan’s 48 Days and 212 Connection businesses, is an appropriate place for the work in a home where the close knit family works behind the scenes. Jared is quick to state that his dad, Dan Miller, has been the chief influence in his life. (And if you read the senior Miller’s latest book, “No More Mondays,” you can taste and see for yourself.) Jared’s mom, Joanne, gives one a glimpse of the heart of mercy behind stateside operations. Joanne works tirelessly fund raising and being a local voice for the Sisters, (among her other numerous community services). Younger sister, Ashley Logsdon heads up necklace sales for KEZA and is in charge of sales and shipping. Older brother, Kevin Miller, is a business branding and positioning consultant at www.3piecebrand.com, and works with Jared to draw people to SOR with a ‘least of these’ perspective. Passion isn’t in short supply in the Miller clan. It is this passion, and the passion of numerous volunteers that continue to drive the accelerated growth and success of the Sisters--- but yet it still takes a reliance on outside donations to run the organization until financial independence is achieved. (And don’t tell anyone yet…but Jared says they will eventually be launching a beauty school thanks to the backing of a corporate sponsor.) In true Miller fashion, Jared is confident about SOR’s future and states, “At the rate we are growing, and if we can raise about $50,000 in supplemental donations, we should be self sustainable, totally, by this time next year.” It’s clear in visiting with this social warrior: Jared Miller’s heart is in Rwanda and it’s there to stay. He says, “I thank God every day that He has afforded me the opportunity to serve the way I do. I often smile and say, ‘I can’t believe I get to live this life’.” Jared will be in the Nashville area through the end of July and is available for speaking engagements. He may be reached at sor@sistersofrwanda.org. For businesses or individuals interested in retailing KEZA necklaces, you may email Ashley at: keza@sistersofrwanda.com Donations may be sent to: Sisters of Rwanda, PO Box 681381, Franklin, TN 37068-1381.
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