Our Story

The Call

As an Artist I, Jane, wondered how I could use my gifts to touch the lives of others, but felt God simply ask me to Colour the World with His Love and to freely give my gifts to the poor. To go to the lepers of society, those considered to be the social outcasts, the persecuted, the forgotten and overlooked. Whilst praying I saw a picture of myself looking through rubbish to find those who have been discarded and thrown away by others. With this came the Call to raise awareness of their plight and make known to the outside world the injustices and troubles so many suffer.

The Graffiti Woman

One day during prayer God showed me the outline of a woman’s face, there were no features, but also she had been defaced by graffiti. It was the start of a journey to go to countless unknown women across the world, living lonely lives in cultures where their voices had been silenced. Those who had been trashed, broken inside and not able to speak against the many abuses they experienced.

Three Stories

These three stories were the motivation and inspiration behind the Sewing School (see below) to change the lives of girls and women who are bound by the place, poverty and circumstances they are born into. To bring hope where there is none, to be a voice to those who don’t have one and to bring change where otherwise nothing would be done.

Amira's Story

Attacked by a gang

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Miya's Story

Sold as a domestic servant

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Leila's Story

Sold as a child bride

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Mission statement

New Life Art Ministries (NLAM) is a Christian Charity starting and establishing 'Creative Schools' worldwide…

From the Sewing School to Daughter’s House

During a visit to Asia I met a young woman from a very poor background whose heart was to start a Sewing School for those who had no chance of an education. After learning computer skills as an adult, I experienced for myself how ‘Education Empowers’ when a whole new world opened up to me. Many women live in harsh circumstances well below the poverty line, merely existing as domestic slaves. Sewing skills would help them earn a living and enable them to work at home where jobs for women are frowned upon. New Life Sewing School was started with over forty women passing through training in the first year. The ages of the students varied from fourteen to forty-five years old. The majority were illiterate and had suffered many injustices and traumas in their lives. The experience of running a sewing school opened my eyes to the realisation that women need far more than just a basic education but also love, healing from life’s journey and discipleship.

Daughter’s House

During a visit to the Sewing School, God gave me the Vision to start a 'Daughter's House' in every nation. A House where Hearts are Healed and Hope is Restored…

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Making something from nothing

In many places and countries worldwide, art materials are either in short supply or there is very limited choice. For those living in poverty they are too expensive to buy. Also costs of equipment and materials are a challenge for those wishing to start a micro-enterprise, because sustainability is vital for a business to flourish and grow. When I started using the Arts to release people’s gifts and run creative trainings, God gave me the word “make something from nothing.” I later found out this is the Hebrew translation for the word ‘Creation’.

It started a journey of experimentation, using everything that others might consider rubbish and only fit to be thrown into the bin. Those who can afford little then have easy access to materials that are readily available and at low cost.

Trash to Treasure

Whilst developing art techniques using everyday materials, I experimented with old CD’s which I painted and decorated. All sorts of ideas have evolved since and been used to engage with different groups from every culture, background and age to bring a message of Hope. Many of us receive wounding whether it’s verbally, emotionally or physically making us feel unworthy and of no value. With the CD Art I felt God say, “when people have been treated like trash I can turn it into Treasure”.

Upcycling Newspaper

In preparation to run a creative training in Asia, we had the idea to upcycle old newspapers. These are cut into strips, then rolled, painted and used to decorate many different items. They were used on journal covers, mirrors and wall hangings. This technique creates unique works of Art that cost next to nothing to produce.

Bringing colour to grey lives

A large percentage of people worldwide exist in survival mode, living grey lives in slum areas or poor circumstances. Home is often a tin shack with no running water and electricity or a high rise concrete block with no lights. Some only manage to scrape a living by working on a rubbish dump. Most have little education if any and certainly no opportunity to discover their hidden talents. Learning a creative skill can completely transform and Colour grey lives to bring Joy, Hope and New Beginnings.

Creating colourful cards in South America

Teaching Quilling Technique for Jewellery in the Middle East

Journals inspired by the jungle in South America

Colourful handcrafted Cards made in Latin America

Jane’s story

Jane trained as a Fashion Designer at the London College of Fashion and worked in the London clothing industry. She designed for many of the High Street Fashion Retailers both in the UK and abroad and also ran her own Clothing Design Company. Later she trained as a teacher and taught many Art and Design related subjects to young adults at a multi-cultural college in London. Afterwards she started her own business running Art workshops in her local community covering a whole range of experimental Art and craft related subjects. In 2005 she felt called to use her talents to help the poor and vulnerable travelling extensively to reach many through the Arts and Prayer. During this time she pioneered and started her own charity, New Life Art Ministries. She has been trained extensively in inner healing and prayer ministry which she incorporates with all her teaching in the Arts.

Fashion, Art & Inner Healing

Josefa’s story

Josefa trained and worked as a Social Worker while also heading up the outreach programme for the disadvantaged and refugees for her church Every Nation Nuremberg. She served in both Namibia and Mozambique helping vulnerable women affected by poverty and lack of education to be empowered through discipleship, practical help and setting up micro-enterprises to generate income. Josefa met Jane in Mozambique and came on the initial trip to start the Sewing School. Later she trained in inner healing and prayer ministry then joined the NLAM team full time. She works alongside Jane in all areas of the ministry.

Social Work, Art & Inner Healing

Meet the Team

Jane Savvas

FOUNDER
Jane was born and raised in the UK and is married to Aris. She is the Founder and Chair of the Charity which was established in 2012 and works full time for NLAM on a voluntary basis.
Josefa Pauli

PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Josefa is from Germany and joined NLAM as a full time Team member in 2017. She became a Trustee in 2022 and is being trained to take a leadership role in the ministry.
Aris Savvas

TREASURER
Aris worked for B.P. as a Computer Operations Supervisor and then in Finance Control. Later he was Treasurer of St. Mary’s Church, Loughton, then Treasurer for NLAM.
Becky Harcourt

SECRETARY
Becky and her husband Paul, lead All Saints Woodford Wells and are ambassadors for the New Wine network. She is part of the Healing Prayer School Team and has been a Trustee since 2012.
Ellie Sherington

TRUSTEE
Ellie is a long standing team member of the Healing Prayer School and Prayer Ministry Team at All Saints, Woodford Wells. She has been a Trustee since the start in 2012.
Helen Morris

TRUSTEE
Helen is on the staff team of All Saints, Woodford Wells, has a passion for intercession and prayer, is on the team of the Healing Prayer School as well as All Saints Prayer Ministry Team.