A suggestion for anyone who sews

[Menolly]

An online friend of mine, a South African born Torah-observant Jew now living in California, shared this site on her Facebook Wall. I barely embroider, so am unsure how easy this will be for me to do, but if one is handy with a sewing machine, I think the idea is awesome.

If you do sew, please consider taking part, and help spread the word to others that sew whom you may know.

Little Dresses for Africa

Thanks for considering.

edited, as I don't mean to call people who sew, "sewers..."

[Horizonscan]

Well, I cross stitch but I'm afraid my sewing is absolutely woeful. It's a lovely idea though, for those that can!

[Fist and Faith]

Why didn't you tell us the age and shoe size of this South African born Torah-observant Jew now living in California? hehe

[Savor Dam]

Since feminine pronouns are being used, I would expect the age and shoe size was omitted because one does not tell such things about a lady.

[Menolly]

I included such information regarding my friend because truthfully, it is my experience that Torah-observant Jews tend to not be promoters of non-Jewish charities. The fact that she was endorsing this charity, which states blatantly is a Chr-stian organization on its home page, is a ringing endorsement to me.

Sometimes it is hard to remember what stands out to one based on personal experience may not be the case of the majority. But that is why I stated who it was that endorsed the organization to me.

That said, I hope this thread focuses on recruiting people for the cause, and not my handling of posting about it. It will be a shame for my style of posting to distract from this organization's mission and possible recruitment of volunteers.

[Fist and Faith]

Well, that certainly makes more sense.

As does SD's explanation.

[aliantha]

I also appreciate the rationale about "Torah-observant Jew" -- that woulda gone right over my head.

I do know how to sew but I dunno how much time I have for sewing these days. Anyhow, I'll check it out.

[Horizonscan]

I've posted the link on a crafting forum I go on; so hopefully it will get some attention there.

[Menolly]

Many thanks, Horizonscan!

[Infelice]

I sew. But i noticed that this is a US organisation

[Menolly]

hmm...
I thought there was a way for international donations to be made. I'll do some research.

[Infelice]

That would be great ... thanks

[Menolly]

I sent my initial inquiry the day Infelice mentioned the address was only for the States, received this overnight and replied this morning:

Hi.

I have been spreading the word regarding your mission of sending the little dresses to Africa and am saddened to see the only address available to ship the dresses to is one within the States. I've had several inquiries from friends who sew who live outside of the States. Do you know of international locations, or a direct to Africa address the little dresses can be shipped to to expedite their receipt from outside of the States?

With sincere thanks,

Pam Wagner
Gainesville, FL

WE can proably supply you with an address that will accept them. If they are going in the name of Little Dresses for Africa, I would like to give you some instructions for packaging them and sizing them so that they are consistent with the ones we send. Boxes cost about $100 each so you'll have to raise some money or something and that can be tough so let me know if you are able to do that. Thanks so much. Rachel

Mulungu akudalitseni,

Rachel O'Neill
www.littledressesforafrica.org

Thank you, Ms. O'Neill.
Any information you can supply us would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Pam Wagner

Should I receive the information I will share as soon as I can.

[deer of the dawn]

I have a couple of thoughts about this, living in Africa (in a far rougher country than SA). On the one hand, your funds sent to organizations in the country often go a lot farther, by the time you figure in overseas shipping which can be brutal, and losses to corrupt postal workers. On the other hand, your hand-crafted American (or Australian, Danish, whatever) item can mean a lot, especially if the cloth is very new and high-quality. You decide what to do; but if shipping items from your country is an obstacle, sending money may be easier. Just the cost of shipping a small box from the US to Nigeria can be $40-$55 or more; that would by lots of good cloth and pay for people to sew a number of dresses; it can't be that different in SA.

[Menolly]

I understand your point of view, dotd.

However, I think the appeal of this to me is the fact that I know not much can be done with the little dresses other than their stated purpose, once shipped. Sending a donation of cash or check can be intercepted in all sorts of ways. Least of all would be lining the pocket of someone definitely not intended.

And this is a way to do good with a hobby, rather than merely reaching deeper in to ones pockets...