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.