Sudan is an extremely war-torn country, and that for a long time. The current genocide in Darfur, before that the Second Sudanese Civil War, in which over 2 million people were killed have made it difficult for the Sudanese people to go on living normally, like sending their children to school.
HELPSudan was formed by the Lost Boys of Sudan to establish learning facilities, recruit teachers and provide school supplies as well as provide health resources and clean water especially in Southern Sudan. HELPSudan is raising funds for the purpose of starting more schools in Southern Sudan, ”providing pencils and notebooks for hands that might have taken up arms, and an education for minds that once only understood war.”
The Ravelry Darfur group, which I moderate thought the knitting and crocheting community could help raising funds, and at the same time making something useful for the Sudanese children. Even though not directly Darfur-related, HELPSudan supports the ones in most need in Sudan.
The object to be made is a pencil case, because they’re easy, quick, inexpensive and light, and because they can be both sold to benefit HELPSudan financially as well as given to the Sudanese school children along with pens and notebooks.
The task is simple: we make pencil cases, send them to HELPSudan, and they use them for doing good. Great!
The finished pencil cases can be sent directly to HELPSudan at
HELPSudan
5255 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
USA
Some lovely and generous designers have made patterns for us to use, and are publishing them throughout the spring. You will find the current link list of available patterns at here at www.worsted-knitt.net, at the right hand side navigation!
Once we get going, there'll be a voting on the most beautiful pencil case on Flickr with lovely prizes! Please stop by and join the group.
The challenge is here: HELPSudan's next Annual Fund Raiser is just few weeks away. They say some pencil cases would be a great addition to their Silent Auction of arts and crafts… HELPSudan have said that they will have need for pencil cases after the event, too, so this KAL/CAL will be active for at least until the end of March. Check back for updates here!
PS: if you would like to participate and design a pencil case, please use the contact form to get in touch with me!
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