Thank you…
to everyone that have offered their time and craftiness to my “Made for China” effort.
(AND if you didn’t respond to my post last week regarding this project, I am taking anyone who wants to join in!)
It really has encouraged me and made me just so excited to contribute to a cause that I feel very strongly toward…children. Whether they are here in our own country or far away, a small gesture of kindness I believe can bring joy to the recipient AND the giver. I know it won’t cure some of the deeper problems some of these kids may/have endure, but kids never forget kindness.
And so, kind readers, here are the details:
On my left side bar, you will see a section marked “Pages”. This is where I have provided tutorials for all the projects that will be given to children, ages infant-12. Each project has its’ own “page” and you will see the project title- just click on it. I have included specifics with each project, noting gender and total needed.
All gifts need to arrive at my home no later than March 20th. My sister will be leaving on the 25th and I would just like time to organize everything- if we are short on anything, I will make sure to bring up the count.
Please e-mail me carolshack(at)yahoo(dot)com with what you would like to make and the approximate number of gifts you can make. I will then send you my address and of course gratitude.
As gifts arrive, I will post photos so that we all can see the craftiness of others. You will be able to view these items under the “Pages” heading.
My main goal was to create easy and fun projects. Hopefully a lot of the supplies needed can be found in your own “stash”. I also wanted to recommend projects that didn’t necessarily require a sewing machine or a profound expertise.
I really want there to be a lot of creative freedom. So, if you want to make a doll and have a great pattern- use it! I am just providing categories and ideas as a guideline. Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
My other goal is to send my sister with at least 325 gifts. I know it’s a lot, that’s why I wanted to create gifts that were simple, fun, and a kid would like.
After my sister’s trip, you can be sure that I will post photos of her trip and especially with the children. It’s only through the generosity of you all that we can make this happen. Again, thank you.
Here are some thoughts from my sister, Susan, who will be delivering our gifts:
I wanted to thank everyone for donating your time and resources to make a unique gift for an orphan in China. As many of you know, my husband and I adopted a little girl from Hunan Province in July 2005. After visiting the orphanage Jane lived in the first 8 months of her life, I couldn’t just walk away without getting involved in helping the literally millions of children who are left behind. I’ve been working with an organization called Living Hope International that actually has 3 of their own orphanages. There are approximately 120 children under the care of LHI. All of these children come from horrific backgrounds and have either been abandoned because of financial reasons or death. They come to the orphanage with nothing.
In March, I will be visiting the LHI orphanages as well as a couple orphanges run by the Chinese government (including Jane’s orphanage). Some of the government orphanges house as many as 500 children! None of these children have anything personal that they can call their own.
I think it’s so wonderful for you to want to participate in adding a ray of sunsine in the life of an orphan. This child will have something to hold on to or play with! In addition, when and if, he/she is adopted, he will have something to bring home with him. As a parent, I appreciated the fact that someone in Jane’s orphanage actually kept and boxed the clothes she had on when she was found. It’s a link to her past that will be very meaningful to her later on in life. I think it’s the same for whatever gift is given by YOU. I’m sure the adoptive parents will appreciate knowing that someone spent the time making a gift for their child. Later on, it’ll be such a keepsake. As for the older children who will probably never be adopted, they will appreciate a gift that is THEIRS. They are given the necessities, but nothing more. It’ll make them feel like someone really cares about them.
Thanks again! I will send pictures from our trip.
Susan
