Forum

In the last couple of weeks we have started to receive Mandela Day squares and what better opportunity to share with you some feedback on last year’s Mandela Day, and, what we have planned for this year!

Some of the beautiful squares we have received recently!

The 18 July (Nelson Mandela’s birth date) has become a day on which South Africans, and people around the world, are asked to commit 67 minutes of their time to benefit humanity in some way.  As a result, in the two or so months ahead of this date, we receive a number of calls from people or businesses looking for ways in which they can assist KAS as part of this initiative.  Most groups choose to launch knitting campaigns and make squares for Knit-A-Square South Africa.  Each year this campaign gains momentum and year-on-year we find ourselves involved in more than one project on the day or in the week leading up to it.

Last year was no different.  The Mandela Day Week started with a KAS distribution at the Ikhwezi Congregation Outreach in Tshepisong.

Arriving at Ikhwezi Congregation Outreach.

It was a bitterly cold day and there were many children that are cared for at this facility.  We bundled them all up in blankets, beanies, hand-warmers and gave them each a toy.  You will see that I even grabbed one of the beanies to keep the chill off my ears!

On Mandela Day itself we had a number of distributions on the go.  Wandi distributed with her Methodist Outreach group;  Erin and her daughter enjoyed holding a distribution at an Olievenhoutbosch daycare – introduced by a friend;  several companies (including the Lions Club of Johannesburg North) held blanket stitching sessions; and Claudia, Nolene, Kele and Siziwe, friends of Knit-A-Square South Africa helped us with distributions in Diepsloot, Maraisburg and Alexandra. Michelle Proude brought 92 year old “Aunt Mabel” to visit while she collected 30 blankets and 50 beanies to deliver to the Oncology Unit at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria on Mandela Day.

Erin and Hannah distributing in Olievenhoutbosch on Mandela Day 2014.

Wendy, Lindi and I went to the Sunshine Association in Eldorado Park.  This facility cares for children with disabilities.  The home was a buzz of activity with various groups visiting to help.  Some companies were planting vegetable gardens; groups of children had come to play with the children of the community, and, a gentleman who was wheelchair-bound himself donated three wheelchairs to the home.

Some of the children of the Sunshine Association who received your hand-made items on Mandela Day.

As you can see, it is a very busy time of the year for us and this year will be no different.  We are planning the various distributions that will take place the week prior to Mandela Day itself. 

This year the 18 July falls on a Saturday and we will be running another one of the very successful Med-Lemon Knitting Schools in Soweto on that day.  We have successfully completed the “trainer the trainer” campaign and have run four knitting classes so far.  We held our first certificate handing over ceremony for learners who have completed the basic course, and received from them navy scarves which they had created. 

Paulina Mahlangu was the first person to receive her certificate and hand in her scarf.  Her eyes lit up and she said, “This is the first certificate I have ever had in my life”.  She showed every person who arrived at Vuselela her certificate and could not wait to show her grandchildren what she had achieved.  We so easily forget, or take for granted, what we may consider as another piece of paper, is literally life changing for others.

Paulina was thrilled with her certificate!

The 3000 navy blue scarves were distributed by GSK Med-Lemon last week to a number of schools in Soweto and they continue to come in from our South African friends and from around the world.  We hope to be able to share with you some of the publicity around this campaign shortly!

A number of the hand knitted scarves will be distributed in the week ahead of Mandela Day and we will continue to collect and distribute navy blue scarves, with GSK Med-Lemon, as and when we have received them. 

Our thanks to each of you who have supported this worthwhile cause!

Highlights of the KAS and GSK Med-Lemon project:

• Four qualified teachers, paid for by Med-Lemon.

• Two qualified assistants, paid for by Med-Lemon.

• 3000 navy blue scarves sourced by KAS and purchased and distributed by Med-Lemon for school children ahead of winter.

• Providing the opportunity for 250 people to learn the skill of knitting/crochet and, for them to earn a small income as a result of the funds supplied by Med-Lemon to the Knitting Schools.

• A once-off donation by GSK to KAS South Africa to be used for operational costs.

• Providing the opportunity for people, both locally and internationally, to contribute navy blue scarves to help keep our children warm during winter.  

   

  Your navy blue scarves are a symbol of hope and comfort to many!

I mentioned the financial assistance we received from GSK Med-Lemon to help with some of the Knit-a-Square South Africa operational costs.  Although it would never occur to me to reimburse myself financially for the work that Knit-a-Square South Africa does, the reality is that, as our public profile grows, so too does the administrative burden – and without sufficient funding we are becoming less able to cope.  Although KAS is a fully “volunteer based” organisation, we do still incur considerable costs for fuel, telephone costs, import duties, office rental and utility costs, plus general administrative costs, to mention a few. 

Therefore, we would all like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to Anne, Linda and Pam who initiated the “Pay the Rent for a Day” campaign on the Forum.  It is true to say that, without your ongoing, generous response and support of this initiative, we would no longer be able to sustain the current rent on our office space. Similarly, the support we receive from Knit-A-Square members in respect of general administrative costs, empowers the team to continue wrapping the children in your love!

Bye-bye from the children of South Africa!