Archive for the ‘Projects’ Category

Knitting Project Update

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Since the last post, a lot of thought has gone into how to proceed with our project. Thanks to the regional branch of the Foundation Center, I’ve learned how to apply for grants and have been sending out grant requests every day for 2 weeks. We’ve also received a few generous donations which have been acknowledged on the website. Our friend and board member Karen in England, has been selling her homemade habanero jam – all proceeds go to the charity!

We have a wonderful machine knitter who has committed to going to Bogota to teach knitting, once we have raised enough money. Our goal is $15,000 for the project startup. We are currently at around $5000.

We also authorized the repair of a gutter at Ciudadela de la Nina in Madrid, outside Bogota. When we visited Christmas 2007, it rained and the dining hall flooded. We were told that this was a regular occurence. Fixing this will cost $600: the money has been sent, and our friend Mario is going to supervise the repair, as he did with the window repairs. Apparently there are 80 windows again that are broken, so we have to think about getting those fixed.

Friends of Colombian Orphans Knitting Initiative

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

Thanks to our wonderful friend L. at YorkSett Arts & Crafts, Jane’s dream of teaching the girls machine knitting is going to happen. L. has found a source for knitting machines at a very reasonable price, which includes 20 hours of instruction; the vendor is offering to provide ongoing training and maintenance at a discount.

Machine knitting is a valuable trade in Colombia. It could give our niñas a way to support themselves after they “age out” of their institutions at age 18. This is HUGE!!

There’s more good news: Friends of Colombian Orphans has finally received its 501(c)3 status! So your donations are now officially tax-deductible.

We’ll need funds to buy the machines and arrange for training etc. So please visit our main site and donate!

Crafts for Colombian Orphans…and a fun pattern

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Jane and I have started a group on Ravelry for knitters and crocheters who would like to make a small gift for the girls at Ciudadela. Hats, scarves, socks, gloves, mittens, small toys, purses…we’d be thrilled with any and all. And you needn’t be a Raveler to participate. Just email one of us if you’re interested.

A few years ago, Phyllis of Got Gauge invited her readers to knit bears for kids in a Jamaican orphanage, and provided a pattern that she says has been around since the 1940s. I had never knit a stuffed animal before but this was so easy and such fun that I made two!

Here’s the pattern (double-click for a full size version):