Knitting is changing lives of young and old
Often crocheting and knitting are associated with old people, but a group of youngsters from KaBokweni are on a mission to change that perception.
MBOMBELA – Valencia Wholesalers was abuzz with activity on Saturday with grannies and teenagers from Daantjie, KaBokweni and Mbombela who came to receive training from Terry Atkinson, who travels around the country to teach people loom knitting.
More than 20 children were also part of the programme, some of them from child-headed households. “It is important for them to be a part of this. They don’t have time for since they are busy with knitting, which helps them to buy food,” said Christine Simelane, an ambassador for 67 Blankets for Madiba and teacher based in Daantjie.
The project was initiated by Kartopu, Valencia Wholesales with the help of ambassadors from the 67 Blankets for Madiba programme.
READ: Celebration for 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela day
According to Simelane, an initiative like this does not only help to stimulate elderly women’s brains, but it alleviates poverty as well. “We are here to learn new techniques. We make blankets, beanies and scarfs,” said Simelane.
She said the project is a huge success. “Grannies, cannot only rely on pension grants so they make a living this way.
We teach them things like embroidery and sewing.
There are challenges though, like a shortage of equipment such as needles and wool,” Simelane explained.
