About 3 months ago I read an article in a knitting group. It was from a man who wanted to get hold of some punch cards patterns for knitting machines. I sent him an email asking about the request. I shall refer to this man as JB. He explained to me that he is a business man further North to me in UK. He had been to Kenya on holiday and had been troubled by the plight of orphaned teenage girls. He wanted to do something for them so he set up a small training school so they could learn hairdressing and machine knitting. He sent them two knitting machines and some sewing machine to do some form of embroidery. They sent him a request for punch card patterns. Well since I had not used my knitting machine for 9 years, not since my heart bypass, I thought I would take the chance and clear out my books and patterns, a few hundred pounds worth. I also asked some of my friends if they had anything to spare. I got a card punch of ebay so they could make their own cards.
JB was going to Kenya with his wife in March so we arranged to meet in a lay-by of a junction on the M1 Motorway. Since the books were to heavy for me to post. My DH and I met him there and transferred the things to his car. He took hold of my hands and said," may God truly bless you".
I said I wished I could have done more to help them and he said he had looked at my web pages and was impressed by the beadwork and that maybe that was something else they could do. Then he turned to my DH and asked if he could take me with them when he visited Kenya next year and he pay my expenses. That is if I was well enough to go. DH said he did not mind if I wanted to go. I am toying with the idea. My GP said if I was still keeping well she saw no reason why not providing I took the yellow fever and malaria precautions.
I have had communication with the lady in charge of the centre in Kenya and they are hoping I will go and visit them and pass on my skills in many crafts. From the photos I have seen of the school I have already been able to help them with the machine knitting.
Through a friend I managed to get all the cones of yarns from a shop closing down for free also two knitting machines plus my own Hague linker and 3 wool winders. JB and his DW came two weeks ago to pick them up. There must have been about 2000 pounds worth of things and he is sending them in a container. I also sent some clothing. They filled a large van.
Now my begging bit. I am prepared to show them how to do simply beadwork things like amulets and simple bead weaving but I cannot afford to pay for a lot of beads. So can I beg here and ask if you have any beads you do not want if you could consider sending them to me. Even if I do not get chance to go to them JB will take them. I cannot offer to pay for postage due to my small retirement pension, but I am asking early so you may send them by the cheapest surface route. If you can help and need my address please email me and put beads in the header. I will reply and send you a picture of the centre that JB has set up. Once any beads arrive I will send you one of my handmade thank you cards. Thanks and hugs Shirley