Winters are long and harsh in Kazakhstan. We have seen snow in August and have had to purchase winter coats to wear there in late May. In January, temperatures dip to 40 BELOW zero, the same whether you speak Celsius or Fahrenheit. The need for warm clothing is great.
Mittens for Akkol (M4A) was formed to address the need for warm woolens at the orphanage in Akkol. Our first project was to collect hand knit mittens and a few pairs of socks. Over the years, as our group has grown, we have been able to increase our goals. This year we will send over 600 pounds of hand knits to three orphanages in Kazakhstan.
Each year, members knit for three separate projects. In the fall, M4A volunteers knit a pair of socks for every child in three orphanages in Kazakhstan. In the spring, knitters knit a complete ensemble (sweater, hat, scarf, mittens and two pairs of socks) for each child who is aging out of the orphanage at age 15 or 16 (the “grads”). All year, we knit for every baby and toddler in an orphanage housing children ages newborn to three years old. This type of orphanage is called a baby house. In addition, knitters produce extra hand knit items (hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, vests and sweaters) for the children in both orphanages and for the babies and toddlers in the baby house we support.
Kazakhstan is literally halfway around the world. The cost of transportation that distance is high. With two trips a year, those expenses are adding up quickly! We could use some help to continue making these trips.
If you are able to help defray the cost of transportation or if you can donate a ticket with your frequent flyer miles, we would love to talk to you! Please email us at:
motherlesschildfoundation@aol.com.
Your donation is now tax deductible.
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