Andes Creations was born to help an epilleptic girl fund her medications.  Now it supports ten families, enaabling them to feed their families and send their children to school.  The ladies sew beautiful crafts that are sold by volunteers in the UK. 

I love sharing my passion for sewing with the ladies.  What a wonderful way to be able to use my God-given talents... the ladies have grown immeasurably in self confidence and dignity as they have learnt new skills and are so proud to be able to provvide for their own families.  As we meet together it is also a wonderful source of mutual support through good times and bad. 

I would like to share with you one of our designs for you to try out.  It is a mobile phone case,  but could be made for a small camara as well.   Simply make  the case to fit your device.

We make the cases using brightly coloured felt.  Cut out one back piece, and one front piece (just cut out the rectangle up to the dotted line for the front.)  Cut out the toucan pieces using the template provided below. 

First stitch the bird to the front piece of  the case using two strands of embroidery thread.  Then stitch thhe front to the back using two strands of contrasting embroidery thread in blanket stitch.  Finally edge the flap in blanket stitch and sew on a popper closure to fasten your pouch. 

If you give it a go do let me see how it turned out!

If you use the pattern and would like to give a donation to Project Ecuador please go to out Justgiving page.  

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/projectecuador

Thank you and have fun!   

I am privileged to know many heroines.  One of them is called Gabriela.  I first met her when she was thirteen years old.  She lives in a remote village here in Ecuador, far into the countryside along an unmade road.  Her father has been quadraplegic since she was eleven after he suffered a tragic accident.  The family toppled from making ends meet head long into abject poverty.  Gabriela's parents were in Quito for a year while her father was fighting for his life in the hospital.  Gabriela finished primary school but could not go to secondary school.  She dedicated herself to helping her mother once her father finally came home.  She washed and cared for him as he lay in bed all day.  She learned to suction his tracheostomy tube to keep him breathing.  She milked the two cows and sold the milk.  She collected the eggs from the chickens and often cooked dinner.  She was a child losing her youth in her service to her parents. 

I began visiting the family providing rehabilitation and medical support and was impressed by Gabriela's quiet dedication to her family.  She is a child of the King.  She is a precious child of God.  She had to have more of a future.  I could not ignore her plight. 

I found a sponsor for Gabriela to pay for the cost of sending her to school.  She could help her family during the week and make the long journey into town on Saturdays to attend a distance learning school. 

Without education Gabriela's future was bleak.  She was being condemned to an eternal cycle of poverty and hardship.  She would continue to live hand to mouth, fearful that she would go hungry.  Gabriela deserved more.  All children do.  I was filled with joy as I told her she had the opportunity to go to school.  Gabriela's face lit up as hope flooded her eyes. 

Gabriela is a heroine because she has pursued her dream of becoming an agriculturalist with dedication, while never failing to make sure her father is well cared for.  She is now in her final year of secondary school.  She is going to make it. 

I hope Gabriela goes on to find work she enjoys through which she can provide for her family in a dignified manner.  I hope Gabriela receives the love and joy of her own family one day.  I hope she finds a husband who will love and cherish her for the very special person she is.  I hope she knows deep in her soul how much her Heavenly Father loves her, and follows his path for her life. 

I am in Ecuador to have the privilege of lending a helping hand to heroines such as Gabriela.  It is a privilege I enjoy everyday.