A letter from Pietermaritzburg, Kwa Zulu Natal,
South Africa
Friday, 23rd March 2007

Dear Doll Makers Everywhere

It is day 2 of our 2nd doll making workshop. I am sitting
amidst the intense engagement and quiet talking of a group
of Zulu women and Njabulo, the young man who is our
interpreter and co-facilitator. They are all busy
finishing their small doll, which they began yesterday.
Irene and Georgia walk among them, admiring their work,
answering their questions and assisting them in their task.
There is an air of awed delight as their dolls take form,
with faces and hair styles that rival those of the women
working. Beads, earrings and other decoration are worked
onto the garments with great panache.
Some had never before held a needle and thread or a pair
of scissors. They began with great trepidation.
It was wonderful to see their anxiety fade away as the day
unfolded and their creations took shape.

During this morning's reflection and sharing –
after glorious singing and a prayer, a Zulu start to all
gatherings – one woman, Irene M, is amazed she has
already made a doll. She is looking forward to teaching
others and is proud she will leave the workshop a teacher.

Our second workshop, with 14 participants, is in the urban
setting of Pietermaritzburg, a university town and large
city. Our first was in Nkandla, a deep rural area north
of Eshowie, 4 hours drive from PMB. 19 women joined us
in Nkandla. They will break into two smaller groups for
days 3 and 4. We shared with great joy over the two days,
and felt sad to leave them with Liesl, Rachel and Phethi
who will lead the 3rd and 4th days of the training.
Our colleagues from the Rob Smetherham Bereavement
Service for Children, RSBSC or "Robs" for short, will
build on the sense of possibility and achievement that
was created along with the dolls in the first days of the
training. Days 3 and 4 will add knowledge, experience and
practical ideas to enable the women deepen their
understanding of the importance and possibilities of play
in a child's life, and this will enrich their work as
volunteer family facilitators. Throughout this municipality
of Nkandla the dolls will become an inspiration for
expressive play and for strengthening the caregiver's
communication and relationship with the child.

Tululiwe, one of the women at the Nkandla workshop, spends
her days in a crèche with 48 pre-school children. There is
only one doll at the crèche. She said the children always
fight over it. She is thrilled to think that she and those
she will teach will be able to create more dolls for the
children to play with.

Councillor Zwelabo Zulu, the principal of the local high
school and the Major of Nkandla, visited us on Wednesday,
Human Rights Day and a public holiday in South Africa.
He came to thank us for bringing skills and knowledge to
his community where there is 93% unemployment and
widespread poverty. We told him the women were enthusiastic,
responsive and able students hungry for knowledge and
opportunity. He made the commitment that they will continue
to receive material support for their sewing. His community
has already made a wholehearted commitment to Early Childhood
Development. He fully understood and sincerely appreciated
the ways in which the workshop will enrich the lives of the
children and families in his
municipality.

Each workshop participant has been given a doll making kit.
It is wonderfully equipped with all the essential tools
for sewing and knitting. The kits are generously supplied,
so those trained can share their tools with others.
At the end of the day 2, each participant is given a further
resource pack with a generous supply of donated material
and fabric to make many more dolls.

The Uthando women in Perth sent gifts for the workshop women:
a tote bag to hold their tools, each very different, some
hand painted, and all stunning and very beautiful.
Others made needle cases, which have also been used
to be the teacher's sewing stitch sampler. Joy Whitfield's
niece sent cakes of soap she had made and perfumed with
essential oils. The women are deeply appreciative.
We can already see them wearing their distinctive bags with
a sense of pride. The kits were funded by Irish Aid, as
part of a CINDI project, which RSBSC is leading and with
whom Uthando is working in partnership.

The chance to share news from our training workshop in KZN,
is the most exciting writing assignment I have ever had.
Your spirit and good wishes are strongly felt in the room
by the three of us. Thank you for your support of Uthando's
work. The dolls you created for the children of KZN are the
most eloquent teachers about play. Each workshop began with
a "lucky dip" to greet one of the dolls who travelled with us.
Every participant was instantly enchanted by their magic and
they brought the first peals of laughter into both groups.

Your generous spirits and loving hearts resonate with our
sense of being your ambassadors here in KZN.
Thank you Dear Friends and Supporters everywhere.

With love
Julie, Georgia & Irene.

Additional Information from Joy Whitfield
Doll Makers please note the next shipment of dolls to
KwaZulu Natal will be packed on 13th April. Please deliver
any completed dolls etc to 2 Healey Place, Gooseberry Hill,
Calico and Ivy Shop, Mosman Park or email Joy Whitfield
or Georgia Efford georgia1@iinet.net.au

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS
From 1st April - new email address for Joy Whitfield -
Communicator will be joywhitfield@bigpond.com
Many thanks
Joy Whitfield - Communicator - Uthando Doll Project

This email was sent to [email address suppressed].
You can instantly unsubscribe from these emails by
clicking the link below:
http://uthandoproject.createsend.com/t/1/u/gny/l/