In the latest Homepsun magazine Vol 12 No 11 you will find a full page story about Quilt Aid 2011.
This is a charity project that I have been so blessed to be a part of this year.
Can you seen my cute grey bunny block in that top row?
I spent many times lying on my tum with camera in hand, when we had lots of cute bunnies in our backyard - trying to capture unique - but true to life - perfect bunny shapes!
Do you know how hard that is? They are sss000o busy!!
Finally a special moment - one of Louie's offspring - captured on film - then sketch pad - and now immortalized in fabric...
This palette was a brighter one than I am used to and I enjoyed the challenge.
All that happy bright cheerful fabric and those sweet blocks have a serious side.
Quilt Aid 2011 aims to raise funds and awareness for The Fistula Foundation.
Here are some facts from The Fistula Foundation website that just make your heart ache!
- Fistula used to be present in the U.S. and Europe, but was largely eliminated in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century with improved obstetric care in general and the use of c-sections in particular to relieve obstructed labor.
- The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 2 million women have untreated fistula and that approximately 100,000 women develop fistula each year. Fistula is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
- For example, in Ethiopia, there are an estimated 100,000 women suffering with untreated fistula, and another 9,000 women who develop fistula each year.
- Less than 6 in 10 women in developing countries give birth with any trained professional, such as a midwife or a doctor. When complications arise, as they do in approximately 15% of all births, there is no one available to treat the woman, leading to disabling injuries like fistula, and even death.
- The root causes of fistula are grinding poverty and the low status of women and girls. In developing countries, the poverty and malnutrition in children contributes to the condition of stunting, where the girl skeleton, and therefore pelvis as well, do not fully mature. This stunted condition can contribute to obstructed labor, and therefore fistula.
- But, fistula is both preventable and treatable. For instance, the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital has treated over 30,000 women over 33 years. Their cure rate is over 90%. Fistula can be prevented if laboring women are provided with adequate emergency obstetric care when complications arise.
There are several ways that you can help.
* Make a donation to The Fistula Foundation. If you can, you can join the monthly Love-A-Sister sponsorship too!
* Visit the Quilt Aid website. Designers and stores have generously given their time and skills to create blocks and finishing kits that you can purchase online. Proceeds go to the Fistula Foundation.
I have just been admiring the finishing kits that the participating stores in Australia, Europe and USA have put together - they are really great! WOW!!
xo Cath
