A Community quilting initiative

When I felt in 2001 a pressing desire to give more than my expected tenth to the Lord, I was not quite sure how I could achieve this.

But guided by our Heavenly Father, I met Annetjie Fourie, a social worker in the rural township of Botshabelo at a braaivleis of a mutual friend, Naomi. A partnership was born in which I could supply my talent and love for quilting, whilst Annetjie supplied the venue.

This venue would turn out to be the multi-functional community centre in Botshabelo - BMC, which houses the local offices of the ANC, a library, computer centre and a doctor’s office. Even though I lived ninety-five kilometres away, just outside Bloemfontein, and supplied my own petrol money, because I knew that this was the opportunity that I was seeking.

Initially, I began by teaching them to make a Potholder, thereby taking the women through the entire process of quilting. Eventually only nine remained to start the more advanced yet infinitely more rewarding task of creating their own quilts for their beds. The necessary materials were generously sponsored by many women from Bloemfontein, and even Wisconsin, U.S.A.

All the work is done by hand, and I am still visiting the women only once a month to provide them with help, advice and whatever support I can provide.

During these sessions work was started on a quilt that will eventually be donated to a child at Bartimea school for the blind in Thaba`Nchu and numerous teddy bears were knitted for the pre-schools in the surrounding areas.    

By learning to create their own quilts and warm bedding, these women are gaining something priceless; knowledge that can be handed down to future generations.

Some of these ladies even won awards on the Bloemshow.

And I am not alone anymore!  Gerda Breytenbach and Magriet Bester are reaching out with me and are part of a very special trip to Botshabelo.  Mieta and Elisabeth can be seen with them on today’s photo.