Quiltaid™ – helping the world, one quilt at a time!
I am so thrilled to be a part of this program in 2011.
After the successful Quiltaid Australia programmes in 2009 and 2010, Helen Stubbings (of Hugs ‘n Kisses and Pattern Press Australia) will be expanding the project in 2011 - to provide for stitchers and quilters of America and Europe too!
Twelve quilt and stitchery designers (Helen Stubbings, Lynette Anderson, Natalie Lymer , Liz Stanway, Janet Rowe, Natalie Ross, Gail Pan, Bronwyn Hayes, Natalie Bird, Janelle Wind, Brenda Ryan and myself have donated a block design to the project - and six of our most respected stores (Quilt Fabric Delights, Country Hart, Esmes, The Quilters' Store, The Embroiderers' Store, Country Quilt Co and Hobbysew Belconnen) will be selling them in their online stores)
Participants can visit www.quiltaid.com.au to begin the purchase of their 12 block kits and then choose their favourite finishing kit. Each of the 6 participating stores have designed a different finished quilt to place your blocks into.
The blocks are designed using combinations of piecing, appliqué and stitchery and all use the Ruby fabric range by Bonnie and Camille from Moda, and Presencia Threads.
A major portion of profits from the designer, the store and the fabric sold in each kit will be donated to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia through the Hamlin Fistula® Relief and Aid Fund in Australia.
This is what its all about.............
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital was founded by Dr Catherine Hamlin AC and her late husband, Dr Reg Hamlin OBE, and is dedicated to the treatment and care of women who suffer horrendous childbirth injuries, known as obstetric fistula.
Obstetric fistula is caused by prolonged obstructed labour when a woman will spend days in labour without any medical help or pain relief. If she survives this ordeal she will give birth to a still born child and her internal injuries will cause her to be incontinent of urine and sometimes bowel contents as well.
She will spend the rest of her life a destitute outcast unless she can get to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital or one of its outreach centres.
The surgical technique developed by the Hamlin’s successfully cures 93% of obstetric fistula cases. The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital has established a purpose–built village called Desta Mender ("Village of Joy") to provide long term care for women whose childbirth injuries are so severe that they cannot return to live a normal Ethiopian village life. At Desta Mender the women are trained in new skills so that eventually they can re–enter Ethiopian society as "citizens of the world" once again.
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals and particularly those directed towards improving maternal health, reducing infant mortality and empowering women. It has established the Hamlin College of Midwives to train young Ethiopian women as midwives to work in the Ethiopian countryside amongst women who presently have little or no access to medical help during their pregnancy and labour. The mission of the Hamlin College of Midwives is to have a midwife in every Ethiopian village.
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital relies entirely on donations from overseas to fund its vital work of improving maternal health, reducing infant mortality and empowering women.
Quiltaid has thus far raised and donated approximately $20,000 to the Addis Ababa Fistula hospital through the various programmes.
I am really impressed by Helen's heart, passion, love, time and commitment to this project.
As a mum of 2 healthy boys who had the blessing of wonderful obsteric care here in Australia - this is something that I am keen to make a difference towards.
I hope that you enjoy the blocks that we have designed.
The theme is titled Wonder and Whimsy
Here is a sneak peak at my block....can you guess who was my inspiration with those cute grey ears?
xo Catherine
http://www.hamlinfistula.org.au/
