The KKNK reWOLusie team are combining forces with the Oudtshoorn Rotaries for the second year in a row to make a difference in the lives of toddlers in the Oudtshoorn area.
The Oudtshoorn Rotary Christmas Box aims to put a smile on the faces of toddlers from Oudtshoorn and surrounds annually. Lezelma Pretorius, organiser on behalf of Oudtshoorn Rotary, says they started with the Christmas Box project in 2015 and gifts boxes to underprivileged kindergartens in the Oudtshoorn community.
Knitted or crocheted toys, made with lots of love by ReWOLusie volunteers, are included in these Christmas Boxes. Various knitters from across the Southern Cape have been gathering since 10 September to assist each other with the patterns to knit and crochet these beautiful teddy bears and other toys.
Pretorius says that, although the children are always excited about the boxes, they wanted to include something special like a toy. “I began to crochet in 2021 and thought that it would be wonderful to give a soft toy to each toddler. Madeleine Miles, founder of ReWOLusie, suggested that I approach the KKNK and ReWOLusie, as they have a large group of energetic ladies who can crochet and knit.”
“The role that ReWOLusie plays in the Christmas Box project is irreplaceable. Thanks to ReWOLusie we could distribute 550 teddy bears last year. It completely exceeded our expectations. Without them, it would not have been possible to take on this project with so much success.” More than 800 teddy bears have been knitted and crochet thus far this year.
For Pretorius, the way this project unites the community, is a wonderful indication of true ubuntu. “Every person can contribute to bring joy to a child’s heart. The joy and love that we can provide to the children from our own community really is priceless,” she concludes.
Annie Boesak, Chairperson of the Lelies van Eden in Oudtshoorn who form part of ReWOLusie, says she looks forward to seeing the smiles on the shy faces of the children and to receive hugs when the knitted teddy bears are handed out. “What a privilege to contribute towards helping a child’s heart beat warm and full of joy again. My wish is that we can do a lot more in the future for Oudtshoorn through the ReWOLusie.”
Boesak says she decided to get involved in ReWOLusie, because she wants to make something that someone in the community really needs. “ReWOLusie makes me happy, because I can learn how to knit something for the projects that we are involved in from others. At the end of a project, I am very proud to see the results of my handiwork.”
Maritha Deenik, ReWOLusieenthusiast who helps participants with patterns and advice throughout, says about her participation in the Christmas Box project: “It makes me sad to think that this might be the only gift some of these children receive, but at the same time it makes me happy that I can assist a community of knitters and make hearts happy at the same time.”
Deenik says she enjoys thinking of ideas for wool projects and that participation in ReWOLusie contributes to her mental health. “I meet a lot of people through this project and have made many friends with whom I can share my knowledge. I especially enjoy it to help people and to teach them, while I can also think of new ideas.”
All knitted toys are delivered to the KKNK office by 30 November and volunteers got together on Friday 25 November to end the year on a social note and to add the finishing touches and assist others with their knitted teddy bears.
These knitted teddy bears and Christmas Boxes will be distributed to kindergartens in the region on 8 and 9 December. The wool for the project was donated by Wilck Wolwinkel in Oudtshoorn.
ReWOLusie is a community project that came to light during the KKNK in 2019. It creates a sense of belonging for the volunteer knitters through participation. Unique items are created by participants with their own hands and lots of love. Skills are transferred here, and lifelong friendships are forged. This participation project is proudly facilitated by the KKNK and gives back in the Oudtshoorn and surrounding communities year after year.
ReWOLusie was awarded with the Blou Fiësta for Innovation during the kykNET Fiëstas in 2020.