A 2nd letter from Pietermaritzburg, Kwa Zulu Natal,
South Africa Thursday, 29th March 2007


Dear Doll Makers Everywhere

There is no quiet hush of concentrated sewing activity in
our workshop this morning. Today we have a riot of
laughter, talking and learning about the importance of
play in a child's life. For these past two days we have
joined our third group of 12 participants, 11 women and
one young man, in days three and four of the workshop
program. Njabulo, Phethi and Dudu, from the RSBSC team,
have led us in a variety of reflective exercises about the
importance of listening to children and opening the world
of play.

This is our final day of workshop activity. Georgia and
Irene taught three groups of women the skills to make and
dress a doll. With each group we saw the same wonderful
transformation as participants began tentatively, then,
as the dolls began to take form in their hands, they
became inspired and delighted by their doll. Their fear
and self doubt slipped away as plans for future dolls and
thoughts of those they will teach to make their own dolls
took the forefront of their mind. As I wrote last week,
some had never before held a pair of scissors or a needle
and thread. Their creative response to the teaching has
been fantastic. They are all so excited by the world of
possibility that opens before them.

There are 7 Gogos (grandmothers and great grandmothers)
in this third group. They have shared deeply and about
their lives; it is a privilege to meet them, to share with
them and to learn from them. Within each group, as well
as the energy and commitment, there is a sense of profound
sadness. Many participants have shared their stories of
loss. One woman has buried all five of her brothers,
others have buried partners and one, two, three or more
children. Some of the women live with HIV infection, and
although currently well, they face an uncertain future.

The women do not dwell upon their sadness; it lives with
them and in them. We have formed strong bonds of
friendship with the workshop participants and our hearts
have widened in response to the courage, generosity and
indomitable spirit shown and shared. Zulu women are
very stylish. Their hair and head wear is spectacular
and provides and endless source of inspiration for future
dolls. When Irene and Georgia, each sporting a colourful
scarf wrapped Zulu-style around their head, walked in to
the group this morning, they were met with a spontaneous
cheer followed by joyful laughter.

As the participants embrace the games and exercises the
RSBSC (Rob Smetherham Bereavement Services for Children)
team use skilfully to engage, energise and teach
the group, there is a more shared laughter. Many of the
women are of "traditional build" and no longer young.
Not one of them shies away from dancing "shake banana,
shake, shake banana" or from entering boisterously into
games remembered from childhood and shared with the group.
Tears of laughter are wiped from eyes and fierce
competition is stirred as the tussle for the last chair
or a place in the circle is contested. The music of
their bodies and their voices has taught us a great deal.
Inspired by our Zulu sisters, in one of this morning's
games Georgia showed us a high kick worthy of the
Australian Ballet. Irene demonstrates a lithe and
lovely bottom wiggle, and I have enjoyed being a shaking
banana when I put the video camera down.

Workshop participants have committed to taking their
doll making expertise and new knowledge about listening
to children and play to share within their communities.
Tomorrow we will meet with the RSBSC team to reflect on
the workshops, and to make plans for future collaboration.
Then after a few days adventure in the Southern
Drakensburgs this weekend, on Wednesday we will meet
our TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education)
colleagues in Durban before returning home next Thursday.
The future looks bright, with ever deepening relationships
with CINDI (Children in Distress), RSBSC and TREE
and we are confident there will be many opportunities
for Uthando to make further contribution to the lives
of children and families in KZN.

Your generous contribution to Uthando is already making
a difference to lives of children and families here.
One doll, distributed by the Sizabantwana Network,
facilitated a young girl to tell her teacher about
something that was happening to her in her family
that she needed help to stop. This alone would be
worth the creative effort of 10,000 dolls; and they
have brought this and so much more.

We have some marvellous portraits of the women with
their dolls and we share these with you on our return
to Australia next week. Plans for a video demonstrating
the dolls work in KZN are also in discussion.

With our love and thanks, as ever

Julie, Georgia & Irene.



















































































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