The holiday season is a wonderful time to help those in need, and we recently learned of an organization called Growing Peace in Afghanistan, which provides technical advice and start-up financial support to Afzenda, an Afghan non-governmental organization that is assisting women weavers in Bamiyan province with the production and marketing of items of clothing made of barak, a traditional wool fabric, in Afghanistan, in neighboring countries, and eventually in international markets. With the income from these products the women can provide substantial support to their families. Afzenda helps them develop their skills and improve their literacy.
It was our distinct pleasure to ship a Finest Manual Doublewide to Afghanistan via an order from The Woolery. When it arrived safely (despite being sent to a literal war zone), we all breathed a sigh of relief, and we were beyond pleased to see photos of these women weavers carding fiber with our machine.
This got us thinking about the many other ways fiber can make a difference in the world. One of the organizations we are proud to sponsor each year is Heifer International, a global charity dedicated to ending hunger and poverty through sustainable, values-based holistic community development. For example, the gift of a single goat can provide a family in need with milk, cheese and butter for nourishment and a source of income through sales of extra milk and fiber, all while encouraging better crop yields by creating fertilizer and clearing land. Some of our other favorite fiber producing animals such as alpacas, llamas, rabbits, and sheep can also make a huge difference!
We also hear countless stories about the ways in which knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists throughout the globe use their gifts to help others. Here are just a few well-respected organizations to which you can donate your time and talent this holiday season, or any time of year:
There are many more wonderful organizations out there – you just have to know where to look! Start by asking your Local Yarn Store or Knitting/Fiber Arts guild to point you in the right direction, or check out the Charity Knitting Ravelry Group to see what organizations currently need handmade donations.
We hope you’ll share this post with a friend to spread the word and inspire more good deeds within our wonderful fiber community. And of course, if you happen to use a Strauch product for your charitable efforts, please let us know by tagging @strauchfiber and using #strauchfiber in your post.
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