(Principal of Ekuthuleni Educare, Thembelihle Mhlongo
with Ntombizonke Sabuke and Bathobile Nhlabatsi some of the 1-to-2 year olds
they care for at the creche)
In October last year, KZN Ambassadors Caroline Smart and
Franki Hills with KZN Knitwit Pauline Dalais from 67 Blankets for Nelson
Mandela Day visited the Ekuthuleni Educare project in Chesterville.
The crèche cares for an average of 235 children on a daily
basis, ranging from 1 month to five year olds. Most of their mothers are young
schoolgirls. They come from a poor area and are looked after by their
grandmothers. Many can’t even afford to pay their school fees. There is a
programme in place to teach the 3-5 year olds.
As the school day finishes, children as young as ten in their school
uniforms come to collect their baby brothers or sisters to take them home
safely to their gogos.
While there is no lack of willing helpers to knit or crochet
blankets for the project, they do not have the funds to buy wool themselves.
KZN is sorely in need of sponsorship of wool.
67 Blankets is all out to play a major role in its WOOL CUP,
where the organisation aims to regain its rightful place in the Guinness Book
of World Records. This will take place on April 22 when all blankets made in
all corners of South Africa will be spread at Drakenstein Prison in the Western
Cape.
For more
information about 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, visit www.67blankets.co.za or the Facebook page.
NB: Apart from
attracting new Knitwits (as the creators of the blankets are known) the KZN
section of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day is urgently in need of wool
sponsorship. If you can help please contact Felicity Gordon-Mackenzie on email:
Felicity.Gordon-Mckenzie@durban.gov.za
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