We started this initiative on a leap of faith...recognizing the critical need for help of thousands of ill and AIDS-orphaned children in South Africa, we sought to create a program that could be both feasible and beneficial. We make this happen not by seeking assistance in the form of financial donations, but rather the offerings of the donations of time, and knitting or sewing expertise! During our first trip to South Africa, we saw some incredible things and felt an affinity towards the country almost immediately. However, it wasn’t until we met the warm people, and unfortunately saw the challenges of others, that we discovered a true sense of the real South Africa, and understood how many children are in dire need of assistance. We could not sit by for a minute longer and do nothing. At the same time, here in our own country, our own elderly citizens have challenges as well. So many are placed in assisted living, or nursing homes and can quickly begin to feel as if they have no purpose and can become quite lonely with a lack of visitors. We have, and continue to, acquire large donations of yarn and knitting items to provide to select facilities for the aged, to provide opportunities for people to knit blankets, clothes, and other items that we then ship to Door of Hope and Hotel Hope.Thus, the knitters and sewers are helped as well by a renewed sense of purpose - and a feeling that they are helping and making a difference.
And, of course, in the end, most importantly, the children receive items they need...whether its a soft pair of socks to keep warm on a cold night, or a heavy blanket that wraps a child up in a feeling of love, everyone wins.
This is strictly volunteer, so we decided to go one step further to assist with the cost of shipping and purchasing new materials. INDABAworld sells only fair-trade goods that help artisans around the world create income-generating opportinities for themselves, and we utilize a portion of the profits of the site to continue the program. Since the inception, our outreach and capabilities to help both homes have grown and we are fortunate enough due to the generosity of our supporters to be able to donate much more additional funding which goes towards the purchase locally of items like formula, bottles, school books, uniforms, toys, medicine, and more!
So...when you buy one of our unique items, your gift helps THREE-fold! We are so appreciative of your support, it just takes one person to start a chain of giving but many, many others to keep it going.