Posted by Priscilla Macy on August 21, 2009
8/21/09
Correspondent Paige
Hi Alex, Aliza, Felix, Giancarlo, Ian, Jonah, Kira, Lydia, Natalie, Olivia, Orr, Peter, Sarah and Tal,
I wish you could be here with me to experience all the great sights and to be with all these wonderful children receiving your gifts! Today we went to a pediatric ward and gave about 20 dolls to very sick children and we left your photo with all of you holding the dolls. Thanks to my Auntie Barb and all of the sewers for making them possible and all of my kids for sending them with love. We also took 40 children to Victoria Falls to experience this amazing sight for the first time! What a field trip! I am thinking of all of you and your wonderful families. I miss all of you!
Later,
Paige
Posted by Priscilla Macy on July 21, 2009
Although the GSGC is focused on long-term, sustainable giving, a situation of great need on an emergency basis was brought to our attention by a contact in Livingstone.
In the process of finding the rag dolls a home, a makeshift center where children are abandoned during the day because their parents cannot afford schooling, needed much more. One woman cares for 71 children, aged two to seven years all day, trying to teach them and feed them twice a day.
Member Paige Hasson decided to take on the task of collecting much needed items, involving her Pre-K class in Portland, Oregon. Thus began a project that empowered children to help other children. The enthusiasm for the project was heartfelt, soon the class began collecting underwear (as requested), making simple matching games to help in learning and raising money by creating hand-made stationary. Discussions followed to help the students understand the effects of poverty and appropriate ways to get involved and help.
At the end of the school year, Paige commented that the “project will continue in the hearts of many young and caring children. This connection will hopefully be the first of many in their lives and through education and understanding bring people together to make the world a better place to live.”
The collections and money raised will be taken to Livingstone this August by Paige and the rest of the GSGC travelers and anonymously donated after a visit. Stay tuned for the next conference call (Thursday, September 24th 3 pm Eastern) to hear from Paige about the impact on her class and teaching young children the importance of giving.
Thank you to all the Sewing Cirlce contributors who have provided these dolls and to Lynne of Zig ZAg B&B in Livingstone for her work on the ground identifying this situation.
Posted by Priscilla Macy on October 22, 2008
Faith Namukando
Inspired by Barbara Muczynski- the aunt and sister of many of our members and her Auburn Sewing Circle which creates handmade dolls to send to children in need- we have recruited volunteers to make the same dolls to send to children in Livingstone.
The dolls are based on a pattern created by Rag Dolls 2 Love, a nonprofit that has been sending the dolls internationally since 2003. Because the dolls are sent all over the world, they are gender and ethnic neutral. We have the permission to use the pattern and deliver the dolls ourselves. We see this as a perfect opportunity to offer cuddly friends to children who have suffered from illness or have lost their parents.
Brenda Chivundu who has been bed-ridden for 8 months and greatly enjoys the company of her doll.
The first batch of six dolls were carried in summer 2008 by a member’s daughter and delivered to Tusa Munyandi in Livingstone to be distributed. The pictures shown are some of the recipients.
Currently, the Auburn Sewing Circle has added 15 more dolls and we have volunteers working on more. If you are interested in making dolls for children in need, please contact:
Paige Hasson (503)246-9691 morkh1@comcast.net
Visit Rag Dolls 2 Love for the pattern.
