A stitch in time
With the support of SOS Children’s Villages, 15 women from an impoverished neighborhood in Peru are using their knitting and weaving skills to raise funds for their community.
The women knit finger puppets that they sell in Peru and abroad. The finger puppets represent members of families, as well farm animals and fairy tale characters such as Red Riding Hood. They also weave clothing and knit hats to keep children warm. The women live in Nestor Caceres Velasquez, where temperatures drop well below zero.
Each woman produces about five fingers puppets a day – the extra income helps them feed, clothe and care for their own children.
“Thankfully we receive a great deal of support from SOS,” says Maryluz.
The mothers send their children to a community school maintained by SOS’ Family Strengthening Program, where they receive two meals a day and a free education. While their children are at school, parents have taken advantage of the vocational training offered.
“We have attended a number of workshops which have taught us how to produce and improve sales of our products,” says Maryluz.
A few of their husbands also took part in the vocational workshop and are now employed as mechanics in auto repair shops.
Maryluz says: “Where SOS has been most effective is in helping us to care for and support our children.” Program workshops have helped them learn about nutrition and how to give their children love and support.
“A few years ago one of our members was being badly abused by her husband. We went to to SOS Children’s Villages for help and they with the help of the local authorities the mother and her children were moved to a home in a new community where she now works in a separate project and is doing extremely well,” says Mayrluz.
Looking toward the future the group members say they would like to widen their operation and include more community mothers.
“Weaving and knitting alpaca wool is a fundamental part of our culture. As little girls, we were taught this craft and it is with great pride that we continue this ancient custom as a means to support our families,” she says.
Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.