My dear friend Kirsten, who’s been in my stichin’ group for a long time, had the brilliant idea last winter of creating a similar group for a bunch of refugees here in Hong Kong.
So seven months ago, we headed over to the Vision First shelter in Sai Ying Poon, armed with balls of yarn, needles and some patience and taught the ladies to knit, and later crochet.
The women are from all over the world (Iran, Uganda, Somalia, etc.) and have come here fleeing war, persecution, and / or violence.
Many of them are Muslims and so don’t like to have their photograph taken as they believe it steals their spirit, so bear with me on the photographs, please.
The women were really excited to learn how to make something beautiful with their hands and enjoyed having some time and space as well to chit chat over the past seven months.
And they’ve made some beautiful scarves, Christmas ornaments, hand bags, hacky sacks, baby shoes, etc.
Here I am with some of the other volunteers who are more up for photographs.
We are really hoping to turn this small but vibrant enterprise into a micro-finance type business and are having our first sale this coming Thursday at the American Woman’s Association bazaar at the Hong Kong Jockey Club from 10am – 6pm.
We are very excited to hopefully give these women, who aren’t legally able to work in Hong Kong, some much needed extra money from the sale of their wares. I do hope if you’re able you’ll stop by and support these lovely women, whom I’ve grown very attached to. Their stories are so heartbreaking, but their spirits are just as bright. To read more or to make a donation to Vision First, kindly visit their website.
