Shanti Uganda Society: Improving Infant and Maternal Health of Women in Uganda {Giveaway}

Posted by Angela V / Published on July 19, 2012

Shanti Uganda

One of the things I love about being a blogger is the fact that I am constantly learning about wonderful local and international organizations and charities. I recently learned about a locally based organization called Shanti Uganda and I am excited to share a bit more about who they are and what they do with all of you.

Uganda

Shanti Uganda is a registered Canadian charity that works to improve infant and maternal health, provide safe women-centered care and support the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Their organization began with a vision to bring the healing power of yoga and conscious birth to communities experiencing trauma in Uganda, very inspirational.

As part of their programs, they work with a group of HIV+ women in a women’s income generating group to provide livelihoods and income opportunity. The women produce beautiful beaded jewellery that is made of recycled paper (how cool) and beautiful bags (banana/bohemian style, square patch style and yoga mat bags) made from traditional East African fabrics.

The products they make are absolutely beautiful and I love the fact that every purchase supports their mission and helps them create more income opportunities for women in Uganda.

Here is a bit more about them from their website:

Kim Ridgewell and Natalie Angell began to discuss ways to make this vision a reality and with the support of friends and family created ‘Shanti Uganda.’ Our first programs included teen workshops for Ugandan youth, continuing education workshops for midwives and supporting an existing women’s income-generating group. Within a year, we expanded our reach, established a new women’s group and graduated 28 HIV positive women. Between 2008 – 2009, Shanti Uganda ran multiple birth education workshops for midwives, provided over 100 Safe Birth Kits, graduated over 28 HIV positive women from our savings and craft training program and established a reusable menstrual pad distribution program. In 2009 and with the financial support of Off The Mat Into The World, we constructed the Shanti Uganda Birth House & Learning Centre in Nsaasi village and are now working towards our long term goal of reducing maternal and infant mortality in Uganda.

I received one of their bags (square patch style) and I just love the gorgeous fabric. The bag is made from Ugandan Batik Fabric and it features a button closure. It also has two carrying straps that make it easy to carry it comfortably on your shoulder.

Shanti Uganda Bag

I love the size of the bag and I have used it as a diaper bag on occasion because it has a lot of space for everything I carry.

Shanti Uganda Bag

Be sure to check out their selection of jewellery and bags and to find out how you can donate to their organization. There are several packages and different ways to get involved. You can even host a Shanti Home Party by becoming a party host and helping share their message. Visit their website here.

Win it: One lucky reader from the US/CAN will win a bag from the Shanti Uganda Society like the one I featured. Enter to win below via Rafflecopter. Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a sample of a product to facilitate my review. All views and opinions stated on this post are 100% my own.

Giveaways, Purses and Diaper Bags

49 comments »

49 Responses to “Shanti Uganda Society: Improving Infant and Maternal Health of Women in Uganda {Giveaway}”

Liza — July 20, 2012 @ 4:24 am (#
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The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

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raven — July 20, 2012 @ 6:28 am (#
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A monthly donation of $50 will support a mom and the safe birth of her beautiful newborn and include midwife support, pre and post natal classes, a safe birth kit and lab tests.

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Melissa Avey — July 20, 2012 @ 10:05 am (#
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They help mothers and babies living with HIV/AIDS

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Vesper — July 20, 2012 @ 11:00 am (#
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Their vision is that birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS are supported, empowered and able to develop to their full potential.

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Anne Perry — July 20, 2012 @ 11:12 am (#
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their work helps to improve infant and maternal health,

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Marjo B — July 20, 2012 @ 11:14 am (#
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I like the idea of donating 50 dollars to help a mother for the birth of her child….

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gibberish (Julie G.) — July 20, 2012 @ 11:50 am (#
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I think their bracelets are beautiful! The Wire Bracelets with the Paper Beads are lovely & I like the Kamulali bracelets too.

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corey — July 20, 2012 @ 12:55 pm (#
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I read about the staff – that Nikiah Seeds – is the President.

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Maegan Morin — July 20, 2012 @ 1:03 pm (#
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I learned that between 2008 – 2009, Shanti Uganda ran birth education workshops for midwives, gave away over 100 Safe Birth Kits, graduated over 28 HIV positive women from our savings and craft training program and established a reusable menstrual pad distribution program (very cool)

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Janette — July 20, 2012 @ 1:13 pm (#
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they are seeking a Volunteer Midwife to support our Ugandan midwives

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jocelyne Alldrick — July 20, 2012 @ 4:49 pm (#
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The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda

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ToCo — July 20, 2012 @ 9:01 pm (#
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A monthly donation of $50 will support a mom and the safe birth of her beautiful newborn and include midwife support, pre and post natal classes, a safe birth kit and lab tests.

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Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard — July 20, 2012 @ 9:17 pm (#
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their work helps to improve infant and maternal health – which is amazing as I am an Infant & Child Development worker (which includes Infant Mental health)

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JLin — July 21, 2012 @ 10:03 am (#
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The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

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Limee — July 21, 2012 @ 1:07 pm (#
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Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with
after that you can write if not it is difficult to
write.

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Gemma — July 21, 2012 @ 5:17 pm (#
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They help mothers and babies living with HIV/AIDS.

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Allyce Smith — July 21, 2012 @ 5:52 pm (#
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This organization helps support women and infants who otherwise wouldn’t have any help.

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Donna L. — July 21, 2012 @ 11:35 pm (#
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I learned that the Shanti Uganda Society incorporated in the Province of BC in 2008, became a registered Canadian Charity in 2009, and a registered Uganda NGO in 2011.

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Wendy — July 22, 2012 @ 7:38 pm (#
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I read about the Celebrate Uganda 2013 trip and would love to participate!

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Kristina Sullins — July 22, 2012 @ 7:44 pm (#
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There are so many ways to donate to the mission from buying products to donating cash to ?

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Annie B. — July 23, 2012 @ 11:10 am (#
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I learned about them.. I didn’t know about the organization before this giveaway.

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Elva Roberts — July 23, 2012 @ 12:01 pm (#
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July 23-Their missiion is to improve infant and Maternal health-especially to Mothers with HIV.- I knew there were agencies helping Mothers and Children, but had not heard about this one.-el03ro

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Elva Roberts — July 23, 2012 @ 12:04 pm (#
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July 23-Please delete the first comment above.-el03ro

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- Angela at OneSmileyMonkey — July 23rd, 2012 @ 12:52 pm
  
  Done
  
  Reply
Sacha Hammerer — July 23, 2012 @ 7:56 pm (#
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They have 6 beautiful midwives on the team!! <3

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Samyra — July 23, 2012 @ 9:55 pm (#
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they support hiv/aids education in Uganda

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Deb Dorrington — July 24, 2012 @ 1:55 pm (#
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I learned that they have workshops for the Teen Girl’s Program where they can talk openly about safe-sex, menstruation, healthy relationships, preventing HIV/AIDS and the importance of proper nutrition.

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Katy Emanuel — July 26, 2012 @ 6:22 am (#
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I learned that they became a registered charity in Canada in 2009

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corey — July 27, 2012 @ 6:34 am (#
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I learned that with a severe shortage of doctors across Africa and access to care very limited in rural areas, 1 in 22 women die during childbirth. Very sad.

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Clifford — July 28, 2012 @ 11:34 am (#
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I learned that there is a Textile Group made up of 7 women who work as a collective and make beautiful handbags made of colorful Ugandan fabric.

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veronica sanchez — July 29, 2012 @ 10:59 am (#
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It helps mothers with aids

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andalene — July 30, 2012 @ 7:18 pm (#
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I leared the their business collaborates with the following organizations and businesses: Mama Goddess Birth Shop, Lunapads, The Information Blanket – BMB NY.

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Angela M — July 30, 2012 @ 8:11 pm (#
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For $50 a month you can support the birth of one baby in Uganda. Great charity.

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Amy B — August 2, 2012 @ 4:53 pm (#
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supports infants/mothers/women with HIV/AIDS in Uganda

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Haroon — August 7, 2012 @ 2:22 pm (#
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The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

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Ashley C, — August 7, 2012 @ 4:33 pm (#
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There are 3 different programs that help aid teen girls, babies, and women

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polly — August 9, 2012 @ 1:18 pm (#
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they imagine a world where women with aids are supported

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Myra R — August 10, 2012 @ 2:17 pm (#
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i learned that their Mission is to improve infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

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Maryse — August 16, 2012 @ 5:36 pm (#
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I learned that they also give classes that focus on health, empowerment and story telling (on the teen program). I think its great! There is not easy for women in Africa to stand on their ground about safesex, its important to make them confident about themselves

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lori butler — August 17, 2012 @ 9:22 pm (#
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I have learned so much, other than helping and supporting birthing mothers, they also help women living with HIV/AIDS. Amazing.

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Brie Gibson — August 18, 2012 @ 9:38 am (#
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A monthly donation of $50 will support a mom and the safe birth of her beautiful newborn and include midwife support, pre and post natal classes, a safe birth kit and lab tests.

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Kat — August 19, 2012 @ 6:50 pm (#
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The organization supports women and children in Africa.

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Judy Hunting — August 19, 2012 @ 7:13 pm (#
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I learned that the first programs included teen workshops for Ugandan youth, continuing education workshops for midwives and supporting an existing women’s income-generating group

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Ashley — August 19, 2012 @ 8:04 pm (#
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Yay for midwifery training! I love that they are training Ugandan women to care for Ugandan women!

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Adrienne Rudolph — August 19, 2012 @ 8:07 pm (#
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their work helps to improve infant and maternal health

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E.Ong — August 19, 2012 @ 8:18 pm (#
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The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

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Miranda Welle — August 19, 2012 @ 8:28 pm (#
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The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health and supports those with Aids!

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Amylynn H — August 19, 2012 @ 8:45 pm (#
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They show the communities how to use biosand filters remove contaminants which cause waterborne illnesses.

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Charlotte R — August 19, 2012 @ 9:01 pm (#
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I learned that they support the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

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