by Angela V 
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.
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.
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.
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!!
Disclosure: I received a sample of a product to facilitate my review. All views and opinions stated on this post are 100% my own.
49 Comments on “Shanti Uganda Society: Improving Infant and Maternal Health of Women in Uganda {Giveaway}”
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.
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.
They help mothers and babies living with HIV/AIDS
Their vision is that birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS are supported, empowered and able to develop to their full potential.
their work helps to improve infant and maternal health,
I like the idea of donating 50 dollars to help a mother for the birth of her child….
I think their bracelets are beautiful! The Wire Bracelets with the Paper Beads are lovely & I like the Kamulali bracelets too.
I read about the staff – that Nikiah Seeds – is the President.
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)
they are seeking a Volunteer Midwife to support our Ugandan midwives
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
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.
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)
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.
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with
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They help mothers and babies living with HIV/AIDS.
This organization helps support women and infants who otherwise wouldn’t have any help.
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.
I read about the Celebrate Uganda 2013 trip and would love to participate!
There are so many ways to donate to the mission from buying products to donating cash to ?
I learned about them.. I didn’t know about the organization before this giveaway.
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
July 23-Please delete the first comment above.-el03ro
Done 🙂
They have 6 beautiful midwives on the team!! <3
they support hiv/aids education in Uganda
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.
I learned that they became a registered charity in Canada in 2009
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.
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.
It helps mothers with aids
I leared the their business collaborates with the following organizations and businesses: Mama Goddess Birth Shop, Lunapads, The Information Blanket – BMB NY.
For $50 a month you can support the birth of one baby in Uganda. Great charity.
supports infants/mothers/women with HIV/AIDS in Uganda
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.
There are 3 different programs that help aid teen girls, babies, and women
they imagine a world where women with aids are supported
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.
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 🙂
I have learned so much, other than helping and supporting birthing mothers, they also help women living with HIV/AIDS. Amazing.
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.
The organization supports women and children in Africa.
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
Yay for midwifery training! I love that they are training Ugandan women to care for Ugandan women!
their work helps to improve infant and maternal health
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.
The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health and supports those with Aids!
They show the communities how to use biosand filters remove contaminants which cause waterborne illnesses.
I learned that they support the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.