A CRU ‘Discover Uganda’ trip in 2010 resulted in hundreds of people in Plymouth knitting for babies in Jinja! … CRU supporter Jean Foy writes of an amazing  response from the ladies of Plympton near Plymouth to knit for babies born to needy HIV mums in  Jinja, Uganda.

Jean heard all about a CRU ‘Discover Uganda’ visit from her friend Lynette Marshall, who had recently returned from Uganda. Jean was deeply moved on hearing Lynette describe how many HIV positive mothers had nothing in which to dress their new-born babies, and she wanted to help.  Lynette, who visited the Maternity ward in a Jinja hospital, told of the overwhelming joy of one woman to whom she had given a shawl for her baby, and how so many mothers had absolutely nothing to dress their babies in, in those first few hours after birth.

“I am a knitter” says Jean, “ but I knew I couldn’t produce many items before the next CRU visit went out to Uganda and so I placed a poster in the wool shop, ‘Knitwits,’ in our main street here in Plympton. I also mentioned it to friends, work colleagues, the ladies group in my Church, and posted it on Facebook.
Ladies at ‘Bodyshapers Studio’  (exercise toning tables for ladies of a certain age!) gave most generously and recruited other groups to knit.

Then it started! It seemed my phone never stop ringing and my husband would regularly shout “Jean it’s one of your knitters!”

The people at the ‘Knitwits’ shop offered to serve as a ‘pick up point’ for anyone who wanted to leave items with them.
People bought wool in the shop and left it as a donation for knitters.
Staff at a school began ‘chatting patterns’ in the staff room.
A parcel of 6 matinee coats arrived from Kent from a Facebook friend
Other groups got involved and offers came pouring in. Non- knitters gave donations or bought new baby clothes. Knitting was just what a recently widowed lady needed to help her through the dark winter months.

Results were amazing! Jean had hoped for about 50 items, but instead was overwhelmed. Over 300 matinee coats and 6 bags of bootees, mittens, blankets and hats are the harvest.
“ We were totally overwhelmed by the loving kindness and generosity of so many people with more offers still coming in. I have had to call a halt for the time being until the present stock is taken out to Uganda.”

Uganda visitor, Lynette with donated items

Plympton knitters amazing response to need

March 12th 2011