Alia Whitney-Johnson

While studying in Sri Lanka, Alia met Medhani, an eleven year old girl who had just given birth to her father’s son. Alia created a program (Emerge Global) to enable Sri Lankan girls who have survived sexual violence or abuse to become jewelry designers. Emerge Global utilizes a comprehensive program that not only teaches beading skills, but works to rebuild the girls confidence, while generating more than a year’s worth of savings for when they graduate the program. Emerge Global has supported 155 girls by selling over $60,000 of jewelry.