Hello!
Over the last couple of weeks more and more refugees have arrived in Germany (and other European countries). The pictures shown in the media are heartbreaking: Adults, children and babies - so many people who lost everything and are looking for a safe place to stay where they can live without their lives in danger all the time. Yet there is so much resistance everywhere to take them in; it makes me very sad and disgusted with mankind.
Fortunately there is a huge wave of people who want and try to help. Here in Dortmund where over 5000 refugees arrived just over the last week, lots of people waited at the train station to welcome the newcomers and offer them food and the first basic things. In Munich the police had to ask people to stop bringing donated goods as they couldn't store them anymore. Of course all the help is not enough as the refugees will need help for far longer than just for that one moment. They need help learning German, finding their place here and so on.
I planned to teach German in one of the refugee camps/homes here in Dortmund but at the moment I just can't see myself doing it. Not because I don't want to but because I don't have the energy. Like so many of you out there, I am a Spoonie. Plus I have mentioned my dad is really, really ill and we try to cherish as much time together as we have left. So I can't commit to something (at the moment) where I don't know if I could teach each week/every couple of days. It just wouldn't be fair plus it would add a lot of stress to myself, stress I am not sure my body can cope with at the moment.
Still. I want to do something. At first I thought about making blankets but while I was talking with Michelle, we came up with the idea to make teddy bears for the kids. Crocheted ones of course. They work up quickly (compared to a blanket) and I imagine they would be well loved and close to heart.
Would you like to join me in making Heart Teddy Bears? :)
If all of us just make one, there will be heaps of happy children. Plus you can take it to any refugee place close to your house (if there is none, you can also send them to me), so there is little logistic effort.
I browsed the internet and found many lovely free crochet teddy bear patterns. Here is just a short selection of the ones I really like (the pics are from the Ravelry pages of the patterns):
I will add a little heart to the breast of the teddy to show it is very close to my heart. A heart teddy bear that is :)
If you want to join me, I made little labels to add to the teddy bear:
I will try to finish my first teddy bear over the weekend (if I can decide which pattern to use). Pictures should be online soon!
Take care and happy crochet
Anne
What a lovely idea Anne, a way to spread a little love among all the turmoil. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! I hope it will give a little one joy!
DeleteWhat a wonderful and incredibly kind idea. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy! I will hopefully finish my first teddy bear today! :)
DeleteWhat a lovely idea Anne, I'll have a look at those patterns and thank you for offering to take items if there is nowhere here to donate. Sorry to hear about your Dad, I've recently started volunteering as an ESOL tutor and am enjoying it, perhaps too much to take on for you just now though. Hx
ReplyDeleteIt is so great you are working as a tutor! :)
DeleteIt is so hard juggling your energy all the time. Do not feel obliged to do more than your body can handle. Your first responsibility is to your health and your immediate family. If you get sick, you cannot help anyone. By taking care of yourself, you will be able to take care of others.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you have found something that you can do to help others without overstretching yourself. The patterns you have found are just gorgeous! Have you chosen one yet? It will be a hard decision with so many lovely Herzenbären from which to choose. I am sure there are many groups who are already making blankets to give to the refugees so your bears will be unique, special and so personal.
When I saw the German people applauding the new arrivals and even the youngest German children giving toys and lollies to the refugee children, my heart gladdened to know that there is love and compassion for these people. It touched my heart very much and put other people to shame. I feel very angry at governments and people who cannot see the humanity in this situation. If other governments bothered to lift a finger to stop the war in the early stages (instead of ignoring the Syrian cries for help for so long), would the world even be in this situation? These issues are always vexed.
The Australian government has resettlement plans for refugees and this week there has been much discussion about housing Syrian people in South Australia etc. so I had better get started on one of your Herzenbären as soon as possible!
Be extra kind to yourself so you can enjoy time spent with your dad and family. Enjoy pouring your love into the Herzenbären. That's a beautiful idea. May you be blessed with many spoons. xxx
Thank you for your kind words, Jodie. It is tough sometime that I don't have enough energy for all the things I want to do.
DeleteThere are lot of Germans who try to help the newcomers but there are also horrible, horrible people who set homes on fire! I feel very ashamed for humankind when I hear about things like that. We shall see if the Australian politic towards refugees will change now that you have a new PM!
Such a lovely idea, I am utterly ashamed of the British government's attitude towards this crisis and would love to do something to help. I hope you are doing ok xx
ReplyDeleteThe British government acts very weird indeed. I just heard a comment from the prime minister the other day who said GB is lucky as it is an island and thus people can't arrive as easily. Sighs. I also know however that heaps of Brits feel very different about the issue! Hugs!
DeleteHi Anne. I have crocheted you a teddy over the weekend. Could you please email me your address to send it to. shar.izzard@gmail.com. Many thanks. x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sharon! I am looking forward to the new arrival!
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