SEPTEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

HUGE THANKYOU TO HUNDREDS OF DOLLMAKERS.

We sent 2077 dolls with 260 workbags with over 800 mini sewing kits to our partners in KwaZulu-Natal at the end of August.

Please read that sentence again.

Imagine all the amazing hours of sewing and thought that went into producing 74 bags full of dolls and dollmaking equipment for the women of KwaZulu-Natal who will be part of the dollmaking workshops in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Centocow and Copesville in October. Thank you to everyone.

FUNDRAISING

To enable us to fulfil our financial obligations to TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education) and especially to RobS (Rob Smetherham Counselling for Bereaved Children) we aim to raise a further $5000 by the end of November. There’s always the question of money, isn’t there? These funds will also cover the cost of the short documentary film to be filmed while 9 dollmakers from Australia are there. The aim of the film is to present the answers to the often asked question “What happens to our dolls?”

KALAMUNDA ZIGZAG COMMUNITY FESTIVAL SUN OCT 26, 11 – 4pm Free Entry

Uthando Project will set up an area in the free Children’s Activities section of this popular event, as we have done for the previous 2 years. We would like to ask for your help.

1. Please make lots of “naked” Uthando type dolls with separate bright happy clothing, beads and accessories for the children to dress. The doll needs face and hair to be finished. It gives hours of pleasure. The children know that “their” doll will go to an African child. (We have a display board giving the purpose of the project).

Children can also draw or paint a doll’s shoulder bag and thread beads for a necklace.

2. Individuals or families can sponsor a doll of their choice, for $10, write a message and attach it to “their” chosen doll.

3. Would you like to make some Uthando style dolls to be sold here, for Australian children to play with? We are often asked if we have some for sale and as we did in the 2007 auction, they are enormously popular. Where else could you buy such a doll?

Please deliver or send dolls to Georgia Efford, 2 Healey Place, Gooseberry Hill 6076.

Leave at front door with your name attached to parcel. OR bring them with you on the day, October 26th. In the interests for our Earth of using less plastic, please use paper bags or boxes.

GREETING CARD PROMOTION

After much discussion we are changing the packs of cards to promote them as packs of 5 for $10. Packs of 10 for $20 are still available, with singles @ $3 each.

Five of our favourite cards are in the pack, with the best quality envelopes. They will be for sale at the Zigzag Festival and through email orders to Lis Hansen einar@iinet.net.au

We are finalising a campaign for Parents and Citizen’s Associations and school groups to partner us in selling our cards for Uthando’s benefit and as fundraisers for their school. If you are part of fundraising for school, church or any group and would consider selling the cards in partnership, please contact us.

KWAZULU-NATAL DOLLMAKING WORKSHOPS

We leave on October 15^th and move straight into a MOST EXCITING WORKSHOP in Pietermaritzburg with South Africa’s top story teller. Please Google her name, Gcina Mhonle. It will be an honour to work with her in teaching dollmaking. There will be 4 other workshops. You’ll be the first to hear about these experiences when we return. We hold the vision that thousands more dolls will be made for the children of Africa as a result of the focus of the workshops and their carers empowered through the values and experiences of play.

Please hold us in your thoughts and deliver dolls for us to take by Oct 13th.

Happy dollmaking, from Georgia Efford, Joy Whitfield and the team