More

As promised.

A day or so ago, Susan posted a message on QFaD about the need for warm sweaters by kids in Afghanistan. I'm sure her intent was mostly sewn vests, I cannot imagine that a huge number of forum quilters are knitters too. But I could be wrong about that.

Anyway, her post struck a chord, and I went looking at the Afghans for Afghans info and this seems like something I can do. The groups hopes to have enough sweaters and vests for every child in the three schools run by Afghans 4 Tomorrow, a U.S. based nonprofit that operates schools and social service programs in Afghanistan. They have successfully coordinated delivery and distribution of relief supplies for many years. From the site:

Of the 900 girls and boys:
* about 60% are ages 10-13 years (so this is the bulk of the sizes we need)
* about 20% are ages 7-9 years
* about 20% are ages 15-18 years

I asked Susan for any links she might have to FAST sweaters and cheap yarn. I have neither a stash of yarn, nor one of time, but I feel pulled to help, and I will if I can. She sent me this link, and I think I can modify it to fit bigger. I have an 11 year old and a 13 year old for size dummies. I'll add cuffs, too, to keep the chill out. My email this morning had a nice surprise too, she's sending me yarn! Susan owns Crystal Palace Yarns and so has access to yarn at much lower cost than I ever could. I can't wait to see what I get! I'm heading in to town today anyway, though, so maybe I'll see if something happens to drop into my basket.

So why this? When I expressed the feeling that I needed a *need* I really didn't know what I was looking for. This one proclaimed loudly that THIS is what I was looking for. At this moment, more than 2000 Canadian troops are stationed in Afghanistan, helping to rebuild and restore some sort of order for these desperately poor people. Maybe it's that Canadian connection that's doing the talking. Dunno.