Friday, October 10, 2008

a stitch in time


I continue to be amazed at the moral strength of this blogging community.


On Wednesday, I posted a piece (
faithful in little things) about some small things I have been doing in my community for the homeless. A number of you have written to ask what you could do in your community.


My friend Wayne of
Isla Mujeres: Gringo in Paradise has a great idea to assist some of the children in Xico, in Veracruz. John Calypso of Viva Veracruz writes often of the daily issues faced by his neighbors in Xico. Life is hard there. Necessities are barely met; having nice things are merely a dream. When you can barely feed your family, there is little possibility of thinking about adequate clothing, and toys are simply a mirage on the horizon.


Wayne's challenge to his fellow knitters is this:

Get our your needles, grab some yarn from your stash (which I know you all have!) and start clacking those needles as fast as you can for the people of Ursulo Galvan. I would like us to absolutely swamp that community with much needed hats, scarves, mittens, sweaters, whatever warm piece of clothing you feel capable of making. The more the better.

Nancy of Countdown to Mexico has taken up the challenge and adds: "I plan on buying a few dolls and toy trucks to tuck in the box when I send it over."


Jennifer Rose gave me a good piece of advice. Instead of giving away my clothes when I move to Mexico, I should use them as packing material, and donate them when I get to Mexico. I am going to do that. I have no sewing or knitting skills. But I can afford to donate some of my own clothes and to buy new clothing and toys for the children.


I would also be remiss in not pointing out that there are angels amongst us already.
Hollito, a regular commenter on many of our blogs, donates small business loans to people in developing countries. He also donated a laptop computer to a child in Xico.


The need is great. And we can only touch a small number of people. But that is how the world is changed. One person at a time.


4 comments:

Babs said...

Great idea! AND books.......children would LOVE to have books! I bring them back every trip to the states. The children treasure them......
One computer donated in San Miguel has turned into a HUGE endeavor. I don't know how many people are involved but they have a US address to send used computers to. Then the involved people here, reprogram them into Spanish, take them to the campos to the heads of the schools and they are either given individually or used in the schools. It has had an ENORMOUS impact, ENORMOUS.
Little things mean a lot.........

Steve Cotton said...

Babs -- Wayne's idea is fantastic. And individuals can build on it. John has posted some additional details on Viva Veracruz.

Islagringo said...

Steve, thank you for helping to get the word out. I am overwhelmed at the responses I am getting. Such great people, such great ideas!

Steve Cotton said...

Wayne -- I suspect we will see acts of kindness throughout the country, It is a start.