<![CDATA[STORYHANDS

Sometimes a simple evening Henna and ESL party can be an easy and very informal way to "test the waters" with a specific community to see if there is interest in meeting for more focused henna storying circles in the future. In our experience, these groups can be a great compliment to ongoing English classes in diaspora communities and give ESL teachers, other volunteers and students a chance to mix naturally and casually together while enjoying the beauty of henna and deep conversations centered on some specific aspect of God’s love for us as women. In other contexts, these parties could be a great way for women who share some other affinity, such as co workers in an NGO office, women who live in the same neighborhood, or women who have children in the same school to get together and grow deeper in their relationships while also experiencing God’s love in a new and fresh way.

Why we love using Storyhands resources in Henna Storying Circles:

It plays to the strength of our guests, honoring a custom and tradition they hold dear.
Storying circles do not promote or enforce a hierarchal power structure (ie teacher/student, citizen/immigrant) If anything, it puts us in the posture of the learners, and empowers our guests to share their knowledge, memories and skills with the wider group.
It’s inexpensive and very reproducible- There is no huge financial barrier in starting a group and it does not promote or enforce positions of inequality. It is a gift of time and attention, but it does not put the giver in a position of superiority. Actually, doing henna on another person is considered a humble gift of service.
It is relational and intimate but in an appropriate way.
It centers on deepening relationships and giving a gift of beauty.
By its very nature it promotes close connection.
It creates a lasting memory and strong emotional bond.
It is a flexible model- able to contract to one on one opportunities but can easily expand to large venues as well.
It provides opportunities for women to connect individually at whatever level they desire from simply quietly observing the proceedings, to active participation, to leading and hosting similar events themselves.
Doing henna takes time, but in a natural way, creating opportunities for women to let down their guard and connect more deeply over lingering conversation as they sit together through the evening.
It helps women delve immediately into deeper topics of the heart.
It provides a natural opportunity to share an oral story in a group context but in a relaxed and disarming way.