Asante Sana, Amani Kenya.

I had such a blessed time during my stay in Kenya. The two and half months flew by. Amani Kenya is such a special place, so full of love and peace. I stayed very busy between design meetings, clothing designing, construction training, chatting with the Amani ladies and enjoying all their company!

Lucy

One of the beautiful women at Amani Kenya was featured by The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). UNHCR uses storytelling to raise awareness about the refugee experience and refugee and crises around the world. Lucy, a Sudanese refugee here at Amani, tells her amazing story. Please be advised that there are some graphic descriptions of things she has witnessed.

Project Runway

No, I am not going to be a contestant on next season…but I do love Project Runway. I have been watching it since the beginning. Even though the past few season has been somewhat underwhelming I have learned so much from it. I started dabbling in fashion design after watching the first season, I would watch them drape and mimic what they were doing. I am still proud of the first dress I draped. It's no where near perfect and has a lot of techniques missing but it’s still wearable!


{Picture taken back in 2005, what a ham!}

Now, I am sure you are wondering why I am writing about Project Runway now. Drum roll please…

Korto Momolu, the runner up on Season 5 Project Runway will be joining Amani Ya Juu!



How did this come about you ask? Well we have another amazing addition to our design team Stephanie. She is such a lovely women of God and has been such a blessing to the Amani Liberia. She is the sweetest person and is so ambitious! She has been able to achieve so much in the short time working with Amani. She has worked with Korto’s agent and they have agreed to design for the March fashion show in Liberia. And to top that, she has agreed to go to Columbus, OH on Feb 26th to show her latest collection to raise funds for Amani Liberia.

I remember watching Project Runway and seeing Korto reading her Bible in the morning, and I thought “Now there is a designer I can look up to, her designs are beautiful, and her heart is gold.” Not only is Korto Liberian, she has a heart to bring redemption to her country. Amani Ya Juu is so blessed to have her, and I am so blessed to play whatever part in this.

It's Open!

I am very excited to announce that my shop is open for business! I have been working hard on producing the ‘Liberia dress’ that is exclusive for the shop. You will also be able to purchase items from my previous collections.

Thank you for your support and remember everything you purchase on my site will go directly to my missionary work with Amani Ya Juu!





I also want to say a very special thank you to my amazing, beautiful, lovely, awesome sister, Ashley, who really pushed me to open the shop and did ALL of the online stuff for me. (because Lord knows it would NEVER have happened without her). I am so blessed to have such an amazing sister/best friend. Thank you Ash!!



God Bless!

The Runway & More.

A month later and I am finally posting more photos from the fashion show!

Here are some of my latest designs, didn't Captured by Robyn. Lee do a great job?



There are some designs missing. I will post the shots that Robyn took out side soon. I am in love with them all:



Below are the designs from Amani Ya Juu. Some of which I designed while I was in Kenya, other I helped with patterning. Aren't they fantastic, the women at Amani are so talented! The fabric is amazing as well! I have some great news about my return move and other news about Amani...I will share soon!





The finale parade...and me dragging my model and giving an awkward nervous smile…Oh man how I love being in front of people!





I was so blessed to have Catherine who I meet at Amani Ya Juu in Kenya speak at my fashion show. She moved to California with her husband about a month before the fashion show. She is literally 15 minutes away from me now...The world is so small!



My beautiful mother selling Amani Ya Juu items.



And of course my sister (who was such an amazing help during the whole fashion show... thanks Ash!) is shopping Corrina's "Dirty Sweet Vintage"

Want to go shopping?

I have just the place…

Have you seen all the amazing things Amani Ya Juu makes?

No, well first stop by Amani Ya Juu website and see all the amazing merchandise…Then stop by their Etsy shop where you can see all their amazing Quilts. They are so beautiful! I can’t wait to own one for myself!

Support Letter

I have posted a lot about the support I need to get back to Kenya. So I thought I would post my support letter that talks more about the ministry of Amani Ya Juu and exactly what I need to get back. If you know anyone who would be interested in supporting me please send them here!

Here you go:

If you can' read it here is what it says:


Hello,

God has blessed me with the most unique and amazing opportunity, and I am coming to you for support. I just recently returned from a short trip to Kenya to be a part of Amani Ya Juu (amaniafrica.org) and can’t wait to return for a longer stay. This wonderful organization is a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women in Africa. Amani aims to sow seeds of peace in the hearts of the women as they grow in community and in their faith together. Over 500 different products are made at Amani ranging from colorful women’s bags and clothes to soft toys. Amani is a self-sustaining project through the sales of products sold in Africa, and by volunteers throughout the US. Each sale of a product provides marginalized women a chance to sustain a consistent income, and sustains the growth and development of the centers in Africa. Amani is based out of Kenya with sister centers in Rwanda and Burundi.

I want to tell you a little more about the women at Amani. The first word that comes to mind when I think about all the ladies is Love. You can feel the warmth and love the second you first walk through the doors of Amani. I have yet to learn the stories of all the women at Amani, but those I have heard are heart-wrenching. Some have escaped the genocide in Rwanda with only their children, left to find a way to survive for themselves. Some have grown up and lived in the surrounding slums all their life, and only have a small shack to call their home. Others have come from Sudan, Uganda, and other African countries to escape the wars. All of these women have had great obstacles, yet all of them are so full of the Love of God and the Joy that He brings.

God has really shown me that this is where He is placing me, and I am anxious to return to Africa to use the talents, knowledge, and desires that He has given me, to help make a difference in the lives of these amazing women. The journeys that they have been, through the war torn countries of Africa to this place of peace, and the stories they have shared have convinced me that I have been made for such a time as this. As a fashion designer, I can take the pattern making, designing, sewing and tailoring skills that I have acquired and use them to bless and teach the women of this organization.

My return trip to Kenya, with trips to the other centers, and the year long stay will cost around $22,400. And as this is strictly missionary work, I will be funding the trip myself. There are a few ways you can support me and/or the women of Amani. First is through monthly monetary support, a one time donation, or as a partner in prayer with me. If you are interested in helping Amani as an organization, you can go on their website and sign up to be a US volunteer and host your own Amani Ya Juu party! The money from your party will go directly to these wonderful women. I know that this is God’s plan for my life, and I am so excited to see what lies ahead. I would be blessed if you would partner with me in this adventure, and I know that God will bless you in return. If you want to hear more as I continue with my journey, please visit my website http://www.hannahlenore.com/.

God Bless,

Hannah Sanford

You can donate to me through Amani Foundation by sending a check to the address below and write in the memo: Hannah Sanford Support Raising

Amani Foundation, Inc
PO Box 28133
Chattanooga, TN 37424-8133

Or visit my blog (hannahlenore.com) and click on the donate button on the right hand side.

Amani is coming to Sacramento

The ladies at Amani Ya Juu have been working hard to get the designs ready for a fashion show this September. That's right, Amani is coming to Sacramento and I couldn't be more excited. So mark your calendars for the Second Saturday of September! You will be able to buy Amani original designs that are coming all the way from Kenya, along with other popular merchandise ranging from purses to houseware items.

Here is a sneak peek at a few of the designs. Isn't the fabric gorgeous?

Along with Amani, I will be showing my designs as well. The benefit show will be raising money for the women of Amani, as well as funding to support my long term mission trip. So stay tuned for more information!

Give me three good reasons?

I was confronted last week with the statement “Give me three GOOD reasons why you want to go to Africa”. I was a little taken aback, and really wanted to give some profound statement. I felt I needed to prove myself and my reasoning. I wanted to just start rambling off every “reason” why I was going. I wanted to name every woman at Amani, tell every story they had. I wanted to tell about my experience visiting the HIV+ women in the slums. I wanted to show every picture of every child who was given this life of poverty and sickness. I wanted to tell all about what God is doing in the lives of these women, how even with these great obstacles they can put one hundred percent faith in Him and know that they will be okay. I wanted to tell how just spending a few hours with them I felt God more than ever, and felt the Peace that Amani brings. I wanted to say how if I am able to do this one little thing, to use this one talent that God has given me to further his kingdom, I am going to! I wanted to list hundreds of “good” reasons of why I want, better yet, why I NEED to go.

Then after giving a few measly reasons, after stumbling over my words, after really not making any sense at all and not getting my point across. Even after mulling it over at home, spending a day trying to come up with the best “three good reasons” it hits me; there is only ONE “good” reason for me to go.

And that is that God is calling me to go. I am to put all my faith in Him and believe that God has a plan for me, and I was made for such a time as this.

I am to believe wholeheartedly this:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I have been home for a month now and I am waiting for my time to go back and spend at least a year in Kenya. This waiting will be challenging for me, and I need to stay focused on my support raising. I have an approximation of how much I will need to raise. Total it will be over $22,000 for one year. This includes airfare to my trips to Rwanda, Burundi and Liberia. I have been blessed with a few gigs; I will be doing a wedding dress and a fundraising fashion show in September. But I am also looking for monthly supporters. If you are at all interested and would like more information I would love to chat. If you would like to donate you can send checks to: Amani Foundation. Just Make the checks payable to Amani Foundation and in the memo write that it for Hannah Sanford support raising. Then send the check to.

Amani Foundation, Inc

PO Box 28133

Chattanooga, TN 37424-8133

I want to thank everyone who is supporting and has supported me already. I am so incredibly blessed.

God Bless,

Hannah Lenore

Where did the time go?

Has it really been 3 weeks already? Time has gone by so fast and I am sad to say that I will be leaving Kenya on Friday. Don't get me wrong, I miss my family and friends but there is so much more I want to do here!

I have been patterning like crazy...designing like crazy...training the ladies on basic patterning skills and grading. I have been fitting and resizing...I became the "photographer" for a day. I have been stitching and stitching and stitching...I have been doing everything I love but what has been the greatest is getting to know the women, talking to them laughing with them, hearing there stories and seeing God working in there lives.

I am very blessed to worked closely with Dorcas the past few weeks. Dorcas is in charge of the clothing department at Amani Ya Juu and has done a wonderful job. Together we have created so great items that I hope will be available to the public soon! (there is a glimpse of one of the creations, it is a simple design but the fabric is what makes it, and yes those are chicken...I think I may have to buy it for myself)

I hope to write more about the women's lives and all my experiences but they will have to wait for now because I have SO much to do!

Well back to work...

P.S. If you are wondering when I am planning to return to Kenya the answer is as soon as I get support funding. I am praying that it will be soon (a few months maybe?)

My mom told me If its Gods will then its Gods bill : )

Also, again thank you to everyone who has supported me for this short trip! you are a blessing.

Bwana Asifiwe

Bwana Asifiwe: Prise the Lord!

I still can't believe that only two months ago I had every intention to move to New York and now I am in Africa. I could have easily seen my denial letter from the school I so wanted to go to as a reason not to pursue my fashion career and get down on myself, but instead I listened to God and sought out my desire to do missionary work in Africa. And what do you know...That was exactly what he had planned all along...I praise the Lord for Amani ya Juu!

"I Know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I wanted to share a little more of where I work everyday. I am so blessed that I get to work up on the floor where most of the productions takes place. I love working with these ladies and hear there stories. Every morning one of the ladies leads Prayer. We pray for anyone that had pray requests and give thanksgiving to the Lord. The women are so passionate about God. They are inspiring!

Then its off to work, we have quilters (which is amazing to watch! I don't have the patience for that) Some are working on the Amani bags, others are working on the clothing line or the house ware. Each lady plays a very important role at Amani!

Here I am below working on patterns! There is a lot left to do to make the existing collection work. There are fitting issues that I am working on and we need a few more key items to design. Please keep me in your prayers that I will have the knowledge to design and finish all that needs to be done before I leave.

Here is another thing that I find so unique at Amani. Not only is all the fabric bought in different countries in Africa, they all have there own tie dying and SILK SCREENING! they do it all here. It is so amazing to watch and the fabric is so beautiful. They do other things like stamping the fabric (I don't know the correct term for that.) All the textiles are beautiful and really makes an Amani product one of a kind! I cant wait to own everything from here!

So that is some of the things I see up on the production floor.

Today I attended the afternoon Devotional. It was wonderful hearing the Word of God and to share that with these women. I am learning so much from them!

Well I am off to bed because...I'm going on a SAFARI tomorrow!!!

"God does not demand us to be successful but to be faithful."- Mother Teresa

First few days in Kenya

I am so blessed to be here in Nairobi, Kenya among all these amazing people. I am falling in love with the country and the people and I can feel my relationship with Jesus grow stronger and stronger each day.

I have worked 2 days at Amani Ya Juu (the third day I was home in bed with a stomach flu...I feel much better today). Amani is more amazing than I though. They do so much for the women and their families. I am so honored to work with them!

I have been working on the collection; there are some fitting issues that I will be able to tweak and some designing to do. But overall everything is beautiful made. I urge you to check out Amani Ya Juu's website and buy some of the home furnishing, bags and quilts...Even sign up to be a US volunteer and sell the Amani good to family and friends. What I was most excited to see is the women tie dying and making most of the prints on the fabric themselves. The photo below is where all the fabric dying is taken place.

I work up on the floor where all the sewing and quilting is done. It is so exciting to working up there...Listening to the women sing in Swahili, talk and laugh. Most of these women are refugees from surrounding countries and they find peace and hope when they come to work at Amani. Here are some pictures of the work area.

There are also a few beautiful women who prepare food everyday for the workers. Below are some photos at lunch time.

I am blessed to stay with one of the ladies Ruth, she lives on the boarder of the Nairobi National Park. Aren't you jealous that I get to wake up to this for the next few week!

Oh and this morning when I was enjoying the sunrise I could have sworn I heard a Lion...Its what the Lions at the zoo sound like and I heard it like 5 times...but who knows. I will try and find out later what it was. Oh and on the animal topic...everyday to work I see a whole bunch of baboons on the side of the road! They are so cute/funny looking!

I will post more pictures, I am off to go on a tour of a Tea Plantations...I hear it is beautiful...but im not surprised...everything is here.

I will leave you with this bible verse which was the first one I read when i arrived here...It has help me tremendously.

"I ask-ask the God our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory-to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the eimmensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, Oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him-endless energy, boundless strenth!" -Ephesians 1:17-19

Amani Ya Juu

God has blessed me with the most unique and amazing opportunity As you may know I recently graduated with two degrees in Fashion Designs and merchandising. As of two months ago I planned on packing my bags and moving to New York City to pursue a life in the fashion industry. However, God had much different and completely amazing plans in mind for me, in just a few short weeks I will be traveling to Kenya to be a part of Amani Ya Juu. I was given the opportunity to work as a missionary in Africa where I will be teaching women how to sew. But Kenya is just the first step on my new life journey, eventually I will be moving to Liberia to be a central person in this organization. Isn’t God creative?



The organization is a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women in Africa. Amani aims to sow seeds of peace in the hearts of the women as they grow in community and in their faith together. Over 500 different products are made at Amani ranging from colorful women’s bags to soft toys to clothing. Amani is a self-sustaining project through the sales of products sold in Africa and by volunteers throughout the US. Each sale of a product provides marginalized women a chance to sustain a consistent income and sustains the growth and development of the centers in Africa.
Amani is based out of Kenya with sister centers in Rwanda and Burundi. They are currently opening a new center in Liberia and that’s where I come in. They need someone to spearhead the project who has patternmaking and tailoring skills. When I was first told this I thought, “No way will I be able to do this, I am not skilled enough!” But God has really shown me that this is where he is placing me, and that I can in fact be the person need and make a difference in these women’s lifes (with His help that is).



Things are moving pretty quickly now, and they want me to go to Kenya the end of this month. I will be leaving May 24th for a short 4 week trip. There I will meet all the wonderful Amani Women and will be helping redesign the 2011 collections. Once I am there we will discuss a more permanent stay in Liberia. My first trip to Kenya alone will cost around $4,000, and since this is strictly mission work, I will be funding myself completely. I need your support, either through monetary funding or prayers. I know that this is God’s plan for my life, and I am so excited to see where it goes.




I will be blogging my journey so stay tuned.

God Bless.