Last week, I got a call from my friend, Stacy Everett, who has been a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya since June 2011. She wanted to see if, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, StyleSubstanceSoul would help her promote a project she was working on in Africa. When you hear what she’s doing, you’ll understand why I immediately said, “yes” – and hopefully you’ll get involved.
Breast cancer has touched the lives of two people who are very close to Stacy – her friend, Leslyn, and her sister, Meredith. Both are survivors.
Leslyn told her about a postage stamp issued in the U.S. to raise money for breast cancer awareness – it’s raised more than $65 million since being introduced in 1998 – and, more recently, about a new version issued in Kenya.
“When I first learned about the Kenya stamp, I thought it would make a great gift for friends,” said Stacy. “Then I started to think about what I could do to make it even more special.”
A huge fan of the local artists in Kisumu, Stacy had been exploring opportunities to collaborate with them on an income-generating project. Together, they came up with the idea of incorporating the stamps into 5” x 7” paintings.
Around that same time, she learned that in Kenya, a diagnosis of advanced stage breast cancer is a death sentence. In 2011, breast cancer claimed the life of one of Kenya’s national treasures, Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai. A year later, Kenya’s own Health Minister flew to the United States to undergo breast cancer surgery, an option impossible for most women in her country.
Because of the lack of available treatment, early detection is critical. Yet, posters demonstrating how to do self-exams – something that’s banged into American women’s heads constantly – just don’t exist in Kenya.
Stacy gave the stamps to five artists (the very talented Edward Orato, Jairo Okoth, George Omondi Odongo, Erick Ayoti Omurwa and Victor Nyambok), described her vision, and they agreed to accept fair market value for their paintings, understanding that their work would be sold for significantly more money, with the proceeds funding a breast cancer awareness campaign. The results are stunning.
The Ministry of Health was excited about the idea and agreed to display the posters in health clinics and provide them to Community Health Workers to take on home healthcare visits. The design, being created by one of the artists, will include instructions written in Kiswahili and accompanied by step-by-step diagrams depicting African women so they will be easy to follow even for those who are illiterate.
We hope you will be inspired to help the women of Kenya by buying one of these beautiful paintings or making a donation. Imagine what meaningful holiday gifts these would make.
For each 5″ x 7″ painting, write a check for $45 ($40 plus $5 shipping) made out to Four Friends for Good. Send your check to StyleSubstanceSoul, 3525 Del Mar Heights Road #582, San Diego, CA 92130. If there is a specific painting you want, be sure to specify the number of that painting. You may want to leave a comment below as well, so we know to save it for you. Otherwise, we will choose one for you. Make sure you include your name, mailing address and email address in case we need to contact you. We will send the paintings out immediately.
The stamps are in short supply but if more become available, additional paintings will be created. Buy these one-of-a-kind paintings before they’re gone – and feel free to send more than $45. You are not only getting a beautiful piece of art but you’re making a huge difference to the women of Kenya. The more money raised, the further the campaign can reach and the more lives that can be saved.
Jairo 1 – Sold Jairo 2 – Sold
Jairo 3 Jairo 4 – Sold
Jairo 5 – Sold Jairo 6 – Sold
Odongo 1 – Sold
Odongo 2 – Sold Odongo 3 – Sold
Odongo 5 – Sold
Orato 1 – Sold
Orato 2 – Sold
Orato 3 Orato 4 – Sold
Orato 5 – Sold Orato 6 – Sold
Orato 7
Orato 8 – Sold
Victor 1 Victor 2 – Sold
Erick 1 – Sold
Erick 2 – Sold
Erick 3
Erick 4 – Sold
Erick 5
This post originally appeared on my former blog, StyleSubstanceSoul.com.
Thank you so much for promoting this project and for handling the transactions on my behalf. StyleSubstanceSoul is awesome!!!!
Stacy, YOU and those amazing artists are awesome for doing this. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to get involved. xo
This is awesome. I am sending my payment today and would like for you to hold ‘Orato 1″ for me.
Thank you so very much,
Hillary
You got it, Hillary! Thanks so much for your support!
Odongo 1 – Thank you Stacy
Looking forward to hanging it on my wall with my other Kenyan pictures
WOW!!! I am so proud of you ladies. I have been following you since you started.
I am going to promote this project through my network.
Peace
This project can do so much for so many women and their families!! Thank you to all of the local artists who have given their amazing talent to this project. There is no end to the gift of life!! Beautiful.
Please hold Odongo 3 for me. I’ll put the check in the mail to you (no joke) as soon as Hurricane Sandy passes. The check should go in the mail Wednesday and then take 3 days to get from CT to CA.
Thank you so much for doing this. Marcy
I will be paying for Jairo #5. The check will be in the mail tomorrow. THANK YOU.
Cindy Rubin
I a Kenyan. I am moved to tears by Stacy’s work here. I am touched by the contributions you all are making to help. My own mother, a nurse, had a masectomy as well as radio and chemotherapy at great cost, in order to escape death from Breast Cancer. The other day the eldest daughter of her only sister, my cousin, was diagnosed with the same! I don’t know how many others are coming down the pipeline. Without early detection, they face great suffering, then death! Every purchase you make here is great suffering averted. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
I am so proud of Stacy for promoting compassionate artists who have hearts for the greater good. As you know I am a breast cancer survivor myself. I love the artists Stacy picked to do this very important project. Breast Cancer has no borders or boundaries. Everyone can make a difference and help spread the word….early detection saves lives. Buy a painting…..FOR A WOMAN YOU LOVE. A small price to pay with great rewards.
BTW…Painting Victor 2….SOLD :-)…I love it. Can’t wait to get it on my wall! Thankyou.
I would like to purchase Jairo #4 If still available.
This is a great initiative. Keep it up!
These paintings are so full of life and color. Way to go Stace, always making things happen. I would like to buy Orato 6 and will mail my check tomorrow, 11/3, from California. Thank you!
Hi Lois, please look for an email from Virginia Lee, requesting a painting. Thx!
I would like to purchase Odongo 2. Very beautiful and thoughtful project Stacy! Remember me, I am Virginia Lee’s Peace Corps friend.
I will send check tomorrow, Nov. 14.
Stacey – Wonderful project ~ both promoting cancer awareness and the many talented artists and their creative works – so beautiful and expressive. I will share with my networks. In Love and Light – Linda Johnson, Santa Cruz, CA USA
Please save Orato 8 for me, or if not available Ondongo 5. What a wonderful way to help with such a worthy cause. Way to go ladies! I’m mailing my check today.
hi Lois, how many paintings are left?
Orato 7 has sold!