Reflections from the House

A place to Stand. The realization came quietly, after months of watching, listening, and learning: dignity is not sustained by beauty alone, nor by objects, nor by intention. Sometimes it must be given for it be lived. In our African villages, women have always built, labored, and cared — often carrying the weight of life on their backs, their children beside them. Yet too often, space has not been theirs to claim. Custom and tradition have limited their rights to land and pr

The candles came first. Not chosen to impress, but to accompany. Before they were styled, candles were necessary. In many village homes, they marked evenings where electricity was unavailable—small flames used for work, prayer, conversation, and waiting out the night. Light was practical before it was decorative. LR candles did not reinvent this. They responded to it. What had long been used was reimagined—not to replace its purpose, but to honor it. Objects that could still

Hemani began with a longing, not a lack of options. I could have gone to a hotel. I appreciated the Airbnbs already present. But I wanted something more...something organic, intentional, and rooted.I wanted a place to be. As a Christian woman. As an African woman. As a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a wife...and finally, a mother. I was learning to see life not only as it is lived now, but as it is meant to be lived in fullness ~ to hold the end in mind, and build from there