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Mother Bear Project
Jun. 10th, 2008 12:51 amSince my friends list seems to be under the impression that I am a wonderful person, I figured I ought to do something that proved I actually am one, and not just a person who likes baby animals and small children. Amazingly, this gesture involves both.
In one of the groups I belong to on Ravelry -- wait, that's going to take too long. In the Lazy, Stupid, and Godless group, where potty mouths are the rule, someone suggested that members of LSG particpate in the Mother Bear Project to offset the 1950s Puerto Rican gang image we have. Apparently all the swearing and butterfly knives aren't appreciated by the public at large.
The Mother Bear Project is a non-profit organization that distributes hand-knit and crocheted bears to children in developing nations, principally children who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The bears mean a lot to these kids. Here's an article from the Mother Bear website that has these two stories in it, told by Amy Berman, the project's founder.
These kids need friends, even if they are only teddy bears.
So, there's the Mother Bear Project website, the Mother Bear group on Ravelry, the LSG thread on Ravelry, and the free pattern available on the DIY Network website. You can also purchase a kit from the Mother Bear website. You cannot knit the bear from another pattern, send a purchased bear, or sew beads or buttons to the bear. You can, however, should you not the skills or inclination to make one, donate money or supplies to the Mother Bear Project.
You can make your bear out of any washable, worsted-weight yarn (so cotton, superwash wool, or acrylic). When you're done with it, send it off to the Mother Bear Project at any of these locations, with $3 for shipping, so it can actually make it to Africa.
Who's with me? I know a lot of you knit and crochet, and it is a really easy pattern. Anybody else want to spread a little hope to some kids in Africa?
In one of the groups I belong to on Ravelry -- wait, that's going to take too long. In the Lazy, Stupid, and Godless group, where potty mouths are the rule, someone suggested that members of LSG particpate in the Mother Bear Project to offset the 1950s Puerto Rican gang image we have. Apparently all the swearing and butterfly knives aren't appreciated by the public at large.
The Mother Bear Project is a non-profit organization that distributes hand-knit and crocheted bears to children in developing nations, principally children who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The bears mean a lot to these kids. Here's an article from the Mother Bear website that has these two stories in it, told by Amy Berman, the project's founder.
“In Zambia, a little 7-year old girl who had AIDS was being stigmatised by her peers because it was known she had the disease. She stopped going to school and before she died she asked that she be buried with her bear because it was her only friend.“
“One 8-year old boy in South Africa who was living in a child-headed household, had to evacuate his home with his siblings a few months ago during torrential rains because his home was falling apart. He told his sister that he had to go and get his bear. His teen sister told him not to go because he would be risking his life. He said he had to because the bear had a heart on it and that meant someone loved him. He did get his bear before his home was totally destroyed.”
These kids need friends, even if they are only teddy bears.
So, there's the Mother Bear Project website, the Mother Bear group on Ravelry, the LSG thread on Ravelry, and the free pattern available on the DIY Network website. You can also purchase a kit from the Mother Bear website. You cannot knit the bear from another pattern, send a purchased bear, or sew beads or buttons to the bear. You can, however, should you not the skills or inclination to make one, donate money or supplies to the Mother Bear Project.
You can make your bear out of any washable, worsted-weight yarn (so cotton, superwash wool, or acrylic). When you're done with it, send it off to the Mother Bear Project at any of these locations, with $3 for shipping, so it can actually make it to Africa.
Who's with me? I know a lot of you knit and crochet, and it is a really easy pattern. Anybody else want to spread a little hope to some kids in Africa?