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Dolls Made with Love for Needy Children

Published Date: 05 October 2010, 12:00 AM

The City of Melville has invited residents to help vulnerable South African children by attending a fun, five-week doll-making workshop in October and November in Willagee.

The Uthando (translation: love) Project is a grassroots initiative, formed in Perth, which makes and sends handmade dolls to South African children who have lost one or both parents. To date, more than 22,000 dolls have been sent to South Africa, with 18,000 made in Perth.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the Uthando Project doll-making workshops were proudly supported by the City’s Community Partnership Funding. He added that 23 per cent of children in South Africa have lost one or both of their parents.

“These tragedies represent a huge strain on the fabric of family and community life,” he said.

“The children must endure poverty, insecurity, disease and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. They typically have very little experience of childhood, as we understand it in Western countries.

“The dolls are an invitation to play. They will bring delight to the children and their carers. To own and play with their own doll encourages a child's development in all spheres: physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual.

“The Willagee workshop is an opportunity for local people to help Uthando Project achieve the goal of sending its next shipment of dolls to South Africa on Friday, 3 December 2010.”

Community Projects Coordinator and Ardross resident, Iris Whitelock, will guide participants through the necessary steps to create a beautiful, individual hand-made doll to send to a child in South Africa.

“All you need is basic sewing skills and you can be as creative as you like. We simply ask  that your doll be sturdy, cuddly and colourful, with brown skin,” she said.

People who are interested in making a doll for a vulnerable child in South Africa can attend the five-week workshop workshop running across October 18 and 25, November 1, 8 and 15, from 11.00am to 2.30pm each day.

The doll-making will be held at the Willagee Community Centre, corner of Archibald and Winnacott Streets, Willagee. All materials, morning tea and qualified childcare will be provided. Bookings are essential and should be made by calling: 9364 0848.