Dorkas
In 1998 the Dorkas project was started by Jenny Hermans and Lubi Koorts after seeing a need to reach out and teach patchwork and quilting skills. We aimed at previously disadvantaged communities with a view to encouraging upliftment, a sense of achievement and self -sufficiency. Our project has an "each one teach one" philosophy that empowers and build confidence.
The logo is a Dorcas Gazelle and the slogan "Run Free". Dorkas is an acronym.
here's a reminder of what DORKAS stands for:
D - Dedicate time and energy to teach and learn from one another
O - Organize and extend yourself
R - Reach out and respond, with mutual respect to gain
K - Knowledge of yourself, of others and develop patchwork and quilting skills to
A - Achieve a sense of pride, accomplishment and self worth
S - Serve one another, promoting personal and community growth and interaction
And so "Run free."
In April 2002 the Dorkas Project had trained and produced 17 Teachers of Beginners Patchwork and Quilting. Each student received a graduation certificate and quilt commentary and assessment, was given a years membership to GHQG. All quilts made were displayed in the Outreach section of the 2002 Quilt Festival competition.
The true success of our teacher training is that each lady feels confident enough to carry on patching and to begin teaching in her own community and "run free".
Over the years this project has touched and so changed the lives of many women through quilting. Dorkas has a group that meet each month to carry on the work started by the project.
Thank you to Sharda Vassen, Desrae Hoffman, Galeema Zaimdeen and in particular to Una Cloete who works selflessly at sharing her knowledge and teaching.
Donations we need are: useable patchwork (cotton) fabrics and notions, batting, rulers, cutters and mats as well as books and magazines. We are also appealing for sewing machines.
The DORKAS group consisting of about 20 housewives in Mitchell's Plain, meets every Thursday morning in the Moravian Church, Westridge, Mitchells Plain. They busy themselves with different craft activities, but on the 1st Thursday of each month they do patchwork and quilting.
Initially it was an uphill battle trying to do patchwork without the correct notions and fabric. The ladies, however, persevered and today are able to produce work of a good standard. They are still dependent to a large extend on donations of suitable fabric and notions like rulers, rotary cutters and cutting mats. Here the members of the Good Hope Quilters are very supportive and generous thus enabling the group to continue with a craft they have become passionate about.
The group now also have a few sewing machines donated by members of the Guild and so they are able to machine quilt their own work.
Most of the women are grandmothers and love making quilts for their grandchildren and bed quilts for their own beds.
Contact Una at 021 637 8593 or 082 3030058. Or Kaylene Solomon 021 705 8153 or 082 477 3965