March 27, 2020
November 2015
I had only intended writing one newsletter each year but so much has happened that I wanted to share it with you all! We are no longer able to be called the Africa Quilt project because there is a large organisation of that name and we are being confused with it! But more importantly Dorcas quilts have gone global as you will see in the newsletter.
We have now sent over 140 quilts out to Africa and Asia since we started!!
Ethiopia 2015
Jenny, my contact for the Deaf school went out in May 2015 and took 16 more quilts. We are hoping to send out some Christmas stockings and runners for them if Jenny is able to go this month. This project will be ongoing as they have an annual intake so we hope to give a quilt for each new child each year. This is one little girl receiving her quilt!
Kagando, Uganda 2015
We were able to give 7 quilts, 11 tiny knitted hats for prem babies and 6 tiny quilts as well as some incubator-size sheets to the work at the hospice in Kagando. Thanks to the N.Hampshire group both for this fabric and the tiny prem hats!
Kenya 2015
In July I was able to give 23 children’s size quilts, 10 small quilts and 5 knitted blankets. These quilts went out to the orphanage like last time as there were not enough so the children had to share! Some also were given to the centre where they have so many abandoned babies.
Local Women’s Refuge 2015
The local Refuge has now been closed down as the local Council have decided that the women should be integrated back into society! Not what they need at all! They are now placed in unfurnished accommodation. So far we have provided 6 quilts for them. This will be an ongoing project. As the women often have a child with them, we are also making smaller quilts (comfort blankets) for the children. This is an email that I received in July from my contact for the Women’s Refuge:
‘This evening I delivered a high chair and baby clothing to a Mum who is having a very difficult time. I included one of your lovely quilts and wanted to share her text message with you’:
“Having a high chair is such a relief and such a smart one. The clothes were brilliant, far more than I expected and just perfect for Autumn. The plates, bowls and books were a lovely surprise but I have to say the quilt was by far the biggest surprise, it’s beautiful. You have made us feel very special and cared for. Thank you very much”
Thank you to all who have provided quilts specifically for this cause!
New Ventures!
Zambia 2015
I have a new contact, Gerda, who has seen one of our quilts and is interested in receiving them. She runs a feeding centre in Mkushi and is keen to have some quilts for the children aged between 2 and 16, who visit the centre. They mainly live with an aunt or grandmother and our aim is to give one of our quilts to each of the 38 children/teenagers. However, trying to get the quilts to Zambia is proving to be a very difficult thing. I am certain that if it is right these quilts will be sent out to Mkushi.
S. Uganda 2015
We also have a new contact in S.Uganda. They have asked us if we could provide 10 quilts, size 25”x36” for the cots in a new Malnutrition Centre. There is also an overflow ward with 8 cots in it. The small children/babies come in and stay for about 4 weeks. I am not sure if the quilts we provide will be just a one–off or whether we will continue to provide for the Centre. Our group here in Chichester is working on these quilts at the moment but if anyone would like to make one then please do!
Cambodia November 2015
Through our church we now have a contact in Cambodia…..so this is why we are no longer an Africa quilt project, we have gone global!
We have gone global!
My contact Sarah works in Cambodia with an organisation called ‘Cambodia in Action’ which is seeking to help vulnerable children. The organisation either finds and reunites the children with their parents or provides them with safe foster homes. Each child will be given a Dorcas quilt. We have sent 12 quilts out with Sarah this month.
Sarah also has a friend who works with tiny prem babies so some of the smaller quilts will go to help her in the work that she does. This will be an ongoing project as quilts will be sent to Cambodia twice a year.
Finally…..
I have to say how grateful I am to all those people who have recently donated thread and fabric (especially Alan Austin) to enable us to make the quilts. I also want to say a massive thank you for all the help and support you have given to make Dorcas quilts what it is. We have now sent over 140 quilts out to Africa and Asia since we started!!
Thank you again to all of you who either in the past or are currently working so hard to provide quilts for children in difficult situations all around the world.
Dot Poulsom
December 2015
