SNIPPETS FROM YOU - OUR GUEST WRITERS

Volunteer for a Day

by Cath Riley

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For me, the KAS experience started nearly 2 years ago when I found the Website and started making squares. Recently retired, I had lots of time so I got stuck in - and it took over my life!

In July last year I broke my arm, which meant we couldn't go on our annual holiday in the Dordogne in France.  This year, we decided to visit the Knit-a-Square offices in S.A. to meet the people I had seen in the Forum photos.  Ronda and Estelle encouraged me, and as we have family in SA we combined it with a holiday.

After a great time with family, staying in game lodges, Safari drives etc., we went to the KAS S.A. office on opening day. My dream had come true!  It was surreal to actually be there, an emotional experience.

It was what they called a slow day as there was not much post. After introductions and chatting, we started opening parcels. The first one, which had 70 beautiful squares, did not have a packing slip!  There was a large box with over 600 squares and what a job it was sorting them out!  There were all sorts of shapes, sizes, and weights, and we must have had 20 different piles of sizes - not one of them with a tail, let alone butterflied.  It was a back breaking job for all concerned. I realized then how important the correct size is, and also to put them in some sort of order when we send them.

I spent some time chatting to Ronda who told me some of the difficulties - first and foremost is getting enough volunteers. She could do with so many more to make life easier, although there are the regulars who turn up every week and are very loyal. The financial situation has eased slightly thanks to the fund raising efforts, pay for a day, and monthly contributions. She mentioned how valuable all those $5 contributions are. Now there is the KAS shop. All the monies from that go directly to Ronda in SA.  I urge everyone who can to visit the shop and purchase items, as this will help greatly and make everyone's job easier.

We stopped in the middle of the day for a lovely lunch made by Estelle - homemade quiche and a beautiful salad - and we had time to chat some more. Ronda, Estelle, Wendy, Molly, Wandi, Linde, and Joel are now real people to me, not just faces in photos. They do a wonderful job which is very tiring, but so worthwhile.

We were unable to go on a distribution due to time constraints, but I think Ronda was relieved as it was far too hot for the children to put on the blankets, hats and hand warmers to show us how happy and appreciative they were.

Who would have thought that such a simple idea of making and sending 8" squares would grow into such a wonderful organization, keeping so many children warm on cold South African nights. Children who have nothing - and I really mean nothing - are provided with warmth and comfort and love. On our travels we passed the informal settlement of Diepsloot and what a sad, depressing sight it was. There was an uncountable number of shacks made from all manner of things and the place seemed to stretch for miles. Ronda said that it is a terrible place, full of crime, rape and murder. The team are very brave to distribute in such places, though it is the place where they are most needed. Hats off to them!!

I had a wonderful day and the welcome I received was fantastic. Rest assured that this is a fantastic organization run by caring, hardworking people, and I, for one, am proud to be a little part of it.  I will continue to support it in any way I can.

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Replies

  • I must admit I wish I'd been there with my yarn needles when you open up those 600 odds and ends squares...I would have started cobbling them together immediately, just to reduce everyone else's stress levels. I mean no doubt they will make into crazy quilt style blankets of the right exterior size but you gals are so busy its asking too much of you I feel.  Perhaps a group of Gogo's will be willing to tackle them for you?  That's the sort of challenge I'd love to take on, hopefully somebody else over there feels just as reckless, lol.

    Thanks for this view of how it is from another volunteer's viewpoint.  The more info the more inspired we get!  My heart too goes out to those living in the deplorable and horrible conditions of Diepsloot and I am amazed at the courage of our KAS distribution angels.  I feel sure you have some very muscular guardian angels hovering over that truck as well.

  • Fabulous article Cath, Such a great experience, I bet you have had sparks flying off your hook since you got home xx
    • Thank you Cath for  fabulous story. It makes it all very real. Good advice about the squares being the right size and the butterflying. Little things can make a big difference at the other end. The feedback on Diepsloot is sad. I think we have done more than one distribution there. It really is hard from the comfort of our own homes to imagine  how tough life can be.  Family, safari, game lodges and KAS, a truly brilliant holiday !

  • Cath, thank you very much for sharing your wonderful story with us.  It sounds llike a fabulous experience!  How nice to be able to put a face ... and a voice ... to each one of our loyal volunteers!

    And thank you for bringing to our attention the need to measure our squares carefully, keeping them as close to 8" (20 cm) as we can.  I will be measuring mine very closely you can be sure!  AND I will be sure to securely tuck in any tiny ends, and butterfly every 20" tail.  Thanks for the reminder :) xo

  • Thanks, Cath, for this peek into KAS SA! 

  • Thank you SO much, Cath, for sharing this wonderful experience with us.

    Although I love reading the reports that come from Ronda, it is fabulous to hear of experiences from another forum member.....another perspective.  :))

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