About the Program

"Motherhood is Beautiful" is a holistic program in South Africa created to empower at-risk mothers through mentoring, skills development, and job creation.

 

Job Creation

"Empower a Mom.com" is the brand name of the beautiful products made in our job creation program.

Join Us!

Do you love empowering at-risk moms or helping a small business get started?

"Empower a Mom" in Africa! Contribute seed money to help us launch our new locally designed, home decor product line and help create jobs.

What is our goal?

Our goal is to raise $5,000 by October 31, 2014! Help launch our business to empower moms and contribute now...

 

Why is this program needed?

We focus on moms living in Ocean View, a community of about 30,000 people located in the greater Cape Town area. Ocean View is  plagued with crime...including drugs, gangs, domestic violence and prostitution. This is a very challenging environment in which to raise a family!

These amazing mothers are working hard to change their circumstances and provide for their families, but they need just a little bit of your help. 

You can make a big difference by contributing to this campaign.  Please join us today and Empower A Mom! 

 

Why October 31st?

We need to be able to begin creating all our products in early November to sell during the holiday season.

Where the funds will go...

Seed money to launch our 2014 “Empower A Mom.com” product line…

  • 2 new industrial sewing machines and an overlocker machine (in the past our business has used lower quality, borrowed, domestic machines)
  • Local South African designer fabric (enough to showcase photos of throw pillows and bunting in each of our 8 new color schemes, along with a supply of fabric to get us started on initial orders) 
  • Other miscellaneous supplies (thread, needles, bunting ribbon, pillow fillers, etc.)
  • Want to help? Give now...

When will these products be available for sale?

If we are able to meet our goal of raising $5,000 by October 31st we hope to offer these fun products for sale by November 7th! Help launch our business to empower moms and contribute now..

 

 

Sneak Peak

2014 product launch - Here is a sneak peak of our much anticipated 2014 product line...expected to launch on November 7th, 2014

-  Home Décor: throw pillows and bunting made with fabric from exclusive South African designers (in 8 color schemes and 5 fabrics in each color pallet)

-  Babies: baby onesies with a “Chevron Africa”



South African Designer Pillows and Bunting - coming soon

Chevron Africa Baby Onesies - coming soon

 

Our 2013 product line featured the very popular Isaiah 61 bracelet and a stunning designs in leather bracelets that all featured an “Africa” charm.


Isiaha 61 Bracelet - purchase online


Earrings, necklances and leather bracelets - sold out

 

 

Our 2012 product line featured bunting with interchangeable felt shapes and baby onesies...


2012 Baby Onesies - sold out


2012 Bunting - sold out

 

Love these products?? Contribute seed money to help us launch our new 2014 home decor product line and create jobs.

We hope to haveour new pillows and bunting for sale by November 7th!

Say "Yes" to empowering moms in Africa today and help us raise $5,000 by October 31, 2014! Give now...

 

 

Skills Development

In the past "Motherhood is Beautiful" has offered everything from cooking classes and parenting tips...to health information and counseling. Our program is continually changing, to keep in step with the needs of our current mothers.

We have also taught the women both jewelry making and sewing skills. With these skills they have created the beautiful products you see featured above, which have sold online internationally.

 

Mentoring

Mentoring is at the heart of "Motherhood is Beautiful". The women meet weekly in a support group format where they can share openly about their journey and struggles.

They also participate in "Discovery Bible Studies," giving them an opportunity to read the Bible, discuss its meaning and talk about changes they want to make in their lives.

 

"I love how these mothers' lives change in front of my eyes every week. I have the privilege of seeing them learn to love God, love themselves and love each other. Hope is restored every single time, and I am inspired by their desire to learn and truly change."

- Marina van der Byl (Director)

 

 

"Moms are awesome! I enjoy creating ways to help moms embrace the beauty of motherhood...giving them tools to be even more awesome. Discipleship is at the heart of everything we do and providing a beautiful way for our women to make money is just part of the fun!"

- Julie Ostrand (Director)

 

Meet the Directors

 
   

Marina van der Byl - Born and raised South African, I am passionate about mentoring single mothers in Ocean View, a disadvantaged township near the tip of Africa.

We started this business to give women the opportunity to provide for their families and become leaders in their community. I also love to develop fun, creative products that can be sold all over the world!

 


Julie Ostrand - As an American living in South Africa with my family, I am honored to be a part of what God is doing in this amazing country.

I love how God embraces us right where we are and transforms our hearts...making something beautiful out of our brokenness. We are so excited to walk the journey of motherhood with these incredible moms!

 

See the products

Every time you purchase an "Empower a Mom.com" product, you help a mother in Africa provide food for her whole family.

2 ways to order...

  1. IN SOUTH AFRICA: Pick it up in person or contact Marina for details
  2. ORDER ONLINE: Order now online at Etsy by selecting a product below - secure website (pay with a credit card or PayPal).

 

When you click on a product below...it will take you to our online shop on Etsy (you will leave this web site)

Note: New products coming soon!