Excitement in the Air!

I am anxiously and not quite patiently waiting for the March/April edition of Northwoods Woman Magazine to arrive in the magazine stands. Inside of this beautiful publication you will find an article about the 34sisters art collaborative and the Do Something Project. I can hardly believe that this is coming to be.

Every week something new happens that blows me away. God's hand is most definitely working for these projects and I am so grateful and humbled by His love for the people of Kenya.

So what's new this week?
-The 34sisters project made their first official sales! 3 Necklaces and one painting were sold this month. Next month I pray that the numbers will increase tremendously!
-I was able to send almost $500 to Kenya to support orphans, the women's art program and the ministry there. Donations came in from several monthly sponsors of the orphans and from sales made from the art and jewelry made by the women and myself.
-The women in the 34sisters project approached me with the idea of renting a space for their meetings so that they could have a place to call their own. They researched and found a space for $26 a month. I sent the first two months rent for the space, and offered to pay the first 6 months rent until they start receiving a more sustainable income so that they can take over the rent for themselves. A community art center is a unique concept in Kenya, and one owned and run by women is even more of a novelty. I am so proud of these women for being bold enough to step into this brand new endeavor!
-Future donations are expected to be tax deductible through the Global Outreach Foundation within a month! So for those donors who would like a deduction, it will be an option!

I am so excited about the changes and growth that is occurring. I am so grateful for the support I have from those who are joining me in this fight against poverty.

What's next?
March 19th I am holding "A HEART FOR AFRICA" which is a fundraiser and outreach event to help raise awareness and funding for the 34sisters and Do Something Projects. This event will be free and open to the public. I am serving an authentic Kenyan Meal (free will donation), showing slides of my trip to Kenya, and holding the first 34sisters Art Boutique. This event will be held in Bemidji, MN from 11 to 1 on Sat. March 19th. I am reserving tickets (simply to plan ahead for food and seating), so if you would like to attend just send me an email.

Watch for the March/April Northwoods Woman Magazine!

Have an awesome week!
Jenn

The art has arrived! My sisters in Kenya have bees so incredibly busy. They have been painting and making paper beads like crazy, and this past week I received the first shipment of their work. For women who have never had the opportunity to paint before, they sure "wowed" me!

So what next? I will be putting the art on ETSY to sell to raise money for the women. In addition, I will be framing some of the originals and some prints of the originals to sell at the March 19th Kenya Event at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji.

What event? Well....
The public is invited to:
Evangelical Covenant Church, HWY 2 West Bemidji
Saturday March 19, 2011
11 to 1 pm

For a photo and story presentation on my trip to Kenya, the 34sisters project, and Do Something for Orphans, Widows, and Teachers. Many of the photos that I will be showing are from the incredible Trish Barthorpe, of Photography by Trish www.photobytrish.com

A traditional Kenya meal will be served for a suggested donation

Art and Jewelry "Boutique" by 34sisters

Orphan, Widow, Teacher, and Aspiring Business Women Sponsorships will be available

The event is free and open to the public, but I am reserving tickets so that I can have adequate seating and food available. If you would like to come, just let me know so that I can reserve a ticket for you! organize@midco.net

Have a happy Saturday...this chick is off to try to save the world - or at least make a good hearted effort to make a small difference anywhere I can.
Jenn

For many months I have neglected my blog. Partly because I am overwhelmed, partly because I have been sick, partly because I feel a little vulnerable.

The focus of my blog will be turning from simply updating the general public on Art for Africa into a way for me to communicate my deepest thoughts, emotions, trials and triumphs. I will be writing to the 34 sisters I have in Kenya through my blog, and I invite you to feel free to read up on our adventure.

Art for Africa is now called 34sisters, named after the original 34 women (33 kenyan women and myself) who started this art and jewelry making project.

The orphan program changed formats over the past few months, and is now called Do Something. Do Something is run similarly to Compassion International in some ways..I set individuals up to sponsor a specific child in Kenya and help them to maintain communication with eachother. I found that if I simply explain the needs of the orphans, those with a heart for loving children come forward and happily help. I love that I don't have to sell anything in order for this to happen. It is definitely Christ driven.

Thank you for caring enough about these projects to read the blog. Please pray for us as we continue on our journey toward easing poverty, hunger, and disease in Kenya.

Jenn