Helping Mothers and Children in Africa

 As my quest to become a midwife and eventually serve in Africa continues, and as we continue to remain stateside I have followed many blogs of women who are themselves midwives working in Africa. Below is from a blog written by Joanne Jorgensen. She is a midwife, I believe currently in Ghana, but who worked for many years in Malawi, one of Africa's poorest countries and one in which the infant/maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the world. She has begun what is called the African Mothers Health Initiative.

To learn more about what she is doing and how you can become involved read the following interviews. Heart Song Studio will begin to support this cause this year. If you purchase a piece this year, you will help this organization and the women and children they serve.

 Malawi: http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-March-14-2009/Midwife-in-Malawi

Their website if you are interested in donating is: www.africanmothers.org

 Briefly, the African Mothers Health Initiative serves in the following capacities:

(1) Feeding Program - now we spend about $150/mo to feed 50 kids three times a week but we want to improve this project and increase meals (this is the bang for your buck program). 

(2) Infant Home Visits - we follow up infants who have survived their mothers death and provide support (nursing care, education, formula, and other material items) to the family. (this project spends a lot more money per baby but my heart is really with this one because without our support these little ones often go home to die.) 

(3) School Fees - we pay tuition for about 8 high school and college students who come from poor homes and who would not otherwise be able to continue their education.

If you are interested in a certain project we would also welcome a donation for a specific cause. Please contact me if you have any questions.

** taken from an e-mail from Joanne

Cards for Sale

 

 

I have made cards from artwork that I have previously created.

Each card you see was taken from a picture made of the original artwork.

The cards are on 4"x 5" glossy card stock and come with envelope and in a plastic sleeve.

$3.75 each plus shipping and handling

Available cards:

The Nativity

Field of Poppies

Sunflowers

**Glare is from pictures of cards only, and is not seen on the cards themselves**

Paper Works

Paper Orbs

$3.50 each plus shipping and handling

Colors available: yellow, green, blue, red, purple and orange

Other colors available upon request

Blue Candle Holder

3 1/2 x 3 1/2 square tea light candle holder  $18.00 plus shipping and handling

This piece was crafted in varying shades of blue glass accented with pieces of clear and yellow glass.

It is a New Year

So it is a new year. I cannot help but think of the verse that speaks of the Lord's mercy being new each morning, surely, His mercy is also new each year. In this season of newness think of the women and children we have help to serve through Heart Song Studio, and how they of all people on earth need His mercy. In an earlier post I shared with you what we have been able to do with the money we have raised through the sale of art. I know that I should not "despise small beginnings", but there is so many people out there hurting, and I want to do so much more. So many need our help. My heart longs for Africa and her people. I long to have my feet on the ground and to get my hands dirty, but I will wait. I will continue to create pieces of art and sell them to you, and in a small way minister to women and children this yea. Thank you for you purchases. Please know that the money from each purchase will find its way around the world and will in some way influence a woman or child. We do it together!

And with each new year comes new resolve, and yes, I am resolving to stay up-to-date with this blog. New stories, new dreams, new pieces of art to post. Thank you to my seven followers! I am happy to have you each reading this blog, and here's to hoping for seven more in this new year.Please share this blog with your friends and family. If you would like to order a custom piece then please contact me at: amykirbow@yahoo.com I can recreate anything you see on the blog or I can try my hand at something new for you.

Happy New Year all!!

Hurricane in 3-D Textured Glass

Hurricane in 3-D Textured Glass (candle not included)

$75.00

Helping Women and Children in Ethiopia

The average income for an Ethiopian family is about $120.00 (USD) a month. In the area of Addis Ababa where YWAM ministers, the income for an entire family is about $25.50 (USD). The average-sized family is six children. Women who have been widowed are expected to provide for their children and there are no government social services to help them. Unemployment stands at a whopping 65% according to government statistics. The poorest women generally are not educated and have no skills to earn a living. Many of these mothers sell their bodies in order to provide bread for their children. YWAM’s community program helps some of these widows by paying $30.00 a month per child so they can buy food, pay rent, send their children to school with school supplies and access medical care if needed. The need is great and the only limitation is finances.

There are currently 27 children/families being assisted in the community in this way. Adoption Ministry, in collaboration with others, is putting together a proposal for vocational training and seed capital to start a small business for twenty of these widow heads-of-homes so these mothers can become productive and generate income to provide for their families.There are some extremely desperate situations that YWAM encounters when working in this poor section of Addis Ababa. Because of the pandemic of AIDS, fathers have died and many mothers are infected themselves. Several fathers have sought YWAM’s help because the wife has died of AIDS and he cannot care for the children alone. Food prices have soared in Ethiopia and the very poor are struggling like never before to purchase needed food. Several children in these distressed situations have become available for adoption and YWAM brings these children to our Widows and Orphans Home and searches for a strong Christian family to adopt them.

On our home page you can select the "Donate" button and make a donation.

All $30.00 donations will go to this cause.


*To learn more about what Youth with a Mission is doing in Ethiopia go to: http://www.ywamethiopia.com/

**This post was copied from the the YWAM Ethiopia site**

Art Classes

CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES TO CREATE GLASS MOSAIC


On Saturday, Nov. 7, Frankfort artist Amy Kirbow will help students create a Glass Mosaic candleholder or textured glass design. Students will work with small pieces of glass and an adhesive to create their design. Glass is sharp. It is possible that some children may experience a cut on their finger. Parents are welcome to stay and help their children with this project. Grades 1-3 will meet from 9-10am and children in grades 4 and up will meet from 10:30-11:30am in the Mae Conard Art Studio, Frankfort Library.

There is no charge for this class. Registration in advance is greatly appreciated and can be made at the library circulation desk, by calling 765-654-8746 or by visiting the library website at http://fcpl.accs.net. Donations to the Children’s Art Enrichment program help pay instructor and supply fees and are always welcome. Checks can be made payable to the Frankfort Library and designated for Children’s Art Enrichment classes.
 
 
GLASS MOSAIC WORKSHOP with AMY KIRBOW


The Friends of the Frankfort Library will sponsor a Glass Mosaic Workshop with Frankfort glass artist, Amy Kirbow. On Saturday, Nov. 7 from 1-4pm, Kirbow will instruct participants in how to create their own 8x10 Glass Mosaic work of art in the Mae Conard Art Studio, Frankfort Library. A self-taught artist, Kirbow was inspired to work with glass after observing a friend in college working on a glass project for an art class.

Designing with a floral theme, students will cut, assemble and adhere pieces of colored glass in an 8x10 frame. Grout will need to be applied at a later date, Wednesday evening, Nov. 18 at 7pm, after the adhesive has had time to dry. A sample window is on display by the top of the Grand Staircase on the library’s first floor.

Cost for this workshop is $55 and includes all supplies. Registration can be made at the library’s circulation desk, by calling 765-654-8746 or online at http://fcpl.accs.net. Programs at the Frankfort Library are sponsored by the Friends and provided with support from the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the Nancy N. Fullerton Fund for the Anna and Harlan Hubbard School of Living.

What We Have Accomplished

From January 2007 to December 2009 The Isaiah Project supported a young Russian woman named Lena. We were able to bless her monthly with a $200.00 donation which allowed her to continue her work in Russia. Lena is originally from the region of Siberia and has a heart for children. During our time of financial support for her she was instrumental in establishing Kid's Club, an after-school program for the neediest of children in Perm, Russia. Not only did she help begin this program, but also was committed in visiting the children in their homes and meeting many of their physical needs. Lena is committed to the children of Russia and longs to make an eternal impact in their lives.



We have recently begun to support another young Russian woman named Katya. Katya also has worked with the children of Russia and really has a love for the young people of her nation. Katya is in the process of moving to Moscow in order to begin a ministry where children and young people are rescued from the sex/slave industry. This industry is growing wildly and Moscow is a known hub. We hope to continue to support Katya through the Isaiah Project.


The Isaiah Project was able to fund the leadership of a missions team taken to Russia in early 2009. This team was able to completely renovate a room at the mission house which now serves to sleep many missionaries. We hope to continue to support teams going into Russia, as well as Africa and the Middle East.


In 2008 The Isaiah Project bought the supplies for the Kid's Club to build a large puppet stage. We were able to see the stage completed on our last trip to Russia.

 We have also provided:


150 blankets to various orphanages

 50+ hygiene kits for street children

 100 pairs of slippers to various orphanages

 80 pairs of pajamas

 Art supplies

100+ tubes of Desiten

To Place and Order

I am still accepting orders for Christmas presents for the 2009 season. What I love so much about offering glass work to you for Christmas is that you as women are going to buy gifts for your families,friends and loved ones anyway...why not buy a gift that in the words of the old cliche just "keeps on giving". Anyone could buy a gift at Target or Macy's, and although they are lovely, they do not continue to bless others. When you buy a gift from Heart Song Studio, the money you spend goes to help serve the needs of women and children around the world. You can place an order for a custom piece at any time. You may look through the old blog archives and choose something you like and I can recreate it (although no two pieces are ever alike), or you may talk with me about a simple idea you have that perhaps I can create for you specifically. Prices are based on size, the amount of glass I use, as well at the amount of hours put into the piece. Generally the prices are as follows, but may vary depending on the exact glass work:

Ornaments- $22.00

Smaller than 5x7- $25.00-$35.00

5x7 $35.00-$45.00

Larger than 5x7 but smaller than 8x10- $50.00-$65.00

8x10-$75.00

Larger than 8x10 various drastically depending on size and design. Most pieces are created in salvaged old windows and frames and begin at $195.00

To contact us simply call: 765-659-1626 or e-mail us at: thekirbows@yahoo.com

Orders placed for Christmas should be ready to pick up (or ship) by December 1, 2009.