What the project is:

Children residing on Fidalgo Island or nearby gather to learn to knit 7"x7" squares of organic cotton, or knit them on their own if they already know how.

Then they gather together again about two weeks later to help sew the squares into baby blankets for African orphan babies and those whose parents have undergone great hardship. A photo will be taken of them holding the blanket to send to the Shaster Children's Center in Africa, and to send to the local press.

When the blanket(s) is finished, children have the option to bless it or infuse it with their good wishes silently from within any belief system they hold, as well as to respectfully decline to participate. The World Grace Foundation is about love in all its expressions, and no specific form of religion, philosophy, prayer or invocation will be presented to influence the children one way or another.

If public schools/teachers would like to take this as a project, we can work with you to make sure there is no crossing over of state and religion. WG sees love everywhere, even in the secular, and respects parents' right to teach children their own viewpoints without interference from others in the public schools.

Upon completion, the children will hold a bake sale to earn the money to send the blanket(s) to the South African children's center described on the Outreach Mission webpage of the World Grace Foundation.

The blanket(s) will be shipped along with a gift of a book on sustainable farming donated by the World Grace Foundation to the South African Children's Center overseen by the World Grace Foundation's sister non-profit, the South African Shaster Foundation which oversees the Children's Center as well as the teaching of sustainable food gardening and farming in South Africa..

Why knitting?

This project is win-win for both American kids and African kids. For American children, knitting restores their ability to produce something tangible with their own hands into a completed, valued project that contributes to the greater good, an important, often-missing step in our modern world for developing intelligence and self-assuredness. It's a craft both boys and girls can learn and enjoy for a lifetime. It's a folk art that helps children reconnect with their heritage. It is especially meditative, allowing the child's hands to be busy with a valuable project which causes the mind to focus, become quieter, and remember how to contemplate. By using organic cotton, it also contributes to the building of a sustainable earth.

Seeking Adult and Child Participants:

Seeking child knitters ages 8 and up, both genders. Children use their own knitting needles and organic cotton in the color of their choice, and knit any pattern they choose, including the most simple pattern of pure knitting. If you have an interested child, please send age and name via e-mail, and we'll notify you when we have a group gathering. Note below that a parent accompanies the child during this project.

Seeking an adult volunteer knitter who can guide and teach children, and an adult volunteer bake sale coordinator (can be the same person for both). World Grace ministers will also assist during the knitting gatherings, and will make signs and donate baked goods to the bake sale. The adult(s) offering this service are greatly appreciated. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact us via e-mail. Adults will need to show some background experience with children to assure children will be safe with them, and be willing to remain denominational during this project.

When, where?

We plan this project to begin late September 2008. Please contact if you are interested (see important notes below). If there is enough interest for a spring 2008 or summer 2008 gathering, we'll consider this as well.

Children will gather once in late September, then have two weeks to complete their square(s) for a second gathering in early October. Children unable to attend the second gathering may mail or deliver their squares ahead of time.

Gathering location is planned for Anacortes, Washington in either a donated home or a local yarn shop. Exact address to be announced.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

During group gatherings, children must be accompanied by an adult. The adult may engage in his or her own quiet activity such as reading or knitting their own project, but must be present in case there is need for discipline, health, or emotional assistance.

Teens may participate without adult supervision as long as it's established upfront they are choosing to participate on their own and are enthusiastic about cooperation.

This project is not for dropping off troubled children or teens in hopes of reformation. Adult volunteers must focus on getting the projects completed rather than therapy or one-on-one for distracted or disinterested kids.

Contact:

info@WorldGraceFoundation.org