Helping Babies and Children in Poverty
in Uganda, Kenya & South Africa
Please note that as of January 1st 2013 the Greenfields Charity is no longer accepting the tiny vests. (The Beanie hats are still required, as are blankets and other items.) Please see the Patterns page for more information. We are actively pursuing other avenues to ensure that all tiny vests already knitted go to a place where they are needed, so please watch this space! In the meantime, please do not start any new vests, and let your friends know of the new developments. Thank you so much.
If you are currently knitting, thinking of knitting or have knitted the F&CB vests and beenie hats, please take a moment to read the important article below written by Lynn, the Malaga Province co-ordinator, about the current charity that we are knitting for, and represents an important and exciting need to change what we knit.
It follows an email sent to Kate in Almeria asking for a change of emphasis. You can read the email on our Facebook page.
You will also find there a letter from Barbara who co-ordinates the distribution of garments. If you could inform any friends who are knitting in the UK of the new developments, that would be extremely helpful.
We anticipate the next collection will be in late Feb./early March.
"We have just received some marvellous news from Brian and Barbara, who have been getting the jumpers and hats for newborn babies to Africa for us.
It seems that the situation is improving to the extent that many more of the babies are surviving their first few weeks, and the need is changing as a result.
You can see more in depth information on the Greenfields website here: www.gfafrica.com, but in a nutshell, they are now asking for knitted and crocheted squares to make baby blankets and cotton vests, and jumpers and cardigans for older babies and children,. There are other items they also need, but at the moment, they are really in need of blanket squares. This is great news for any would-be knitters who were not confident enough to make a jumper, and also for those who prefer to crochet!
Of course, there are still newborn babies to clothe, so any fish and chip outfits you already have started will be gratefully received. If you are able to knit or crochet 6" squares in any colours you like, we'd be delighted. They can all be dropped off at the usual collection points.
I am in the process of producing a pattern for a simple jumper that is suitable for older babies and children (just scaling up the F&C jumper doesn't work very well because the neck goes baggy) and I shall post it on our Face Book group, ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/FishandChipBaby/ ) as soon as it is finished. If you prefer to email me for a copy, I will happily send it to you. [email protected]
Once again, thank you so much to everyone who has been part of the fantastic success of the appeal thus far. We hope you will feel motivated to continue with us as we seek to support the babies we have helped into a happy and healthy childhood.
The Need
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Every day babies are born into extreme poverty in Africa. You can help to give newborn babies and children in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa a better start in life.
What can I do?
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You can help by knitting a baby hat, cardigan, teddy or cot blanket for these babies, so that they can go home wrapped up warm and with proper clothing, and even a small toy!
The items themselves are easy to knit, and help give a child a much better start in life than they would otherwise have The patterns can be downloaded as a PDF file directly from the Greenfields site Alternatively, you can download them here:
If you live in Spain, the finished items can be taken to your nearest convenient collection point. There are a number in both the Almeria and Malaga provinces and you will find them on the collection points pages on this website. We have a number of couriers who travel to the UK and kindly transport the items free of charge to the Greenfields depot in Shropshire ready for shipping to Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. (If you live in the UK, your own groups will need to arrange suitable venues from where items can be taken or posted to the depot.)
The items can be plain or striped, in as many colours as you chose to use! We love to hear your news, so please look us up on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FishandChipBaby/ and join the community! New UK collection points are always needed, too.
How Else Can I Help?
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Perhaps you have oddments of wool that you could donate to be knitted into garments for these babies. Please take them to one of the Collection Points.
Donations of size 8 knitting needles would also be helpful, as the Chinese shops often don't sell them.
We already have two drivers who go back to the UK regularly and who have volunteered to take boxes of jumpers with them. Thanks to you both!
What About the Original Vests and Beenie Hats?
Good question! This was the project that started this particular ball (of wool!) rolling. However, it was so successful that the charity has now asked for different items to meet its changing needs. You can read more in the above email from Barbara at Greenfields. Of course, they will be happy to take any outstanding vests and hats, but would ask that in the future knitters have a look at the new patterns.