Crocheting Community Connections
Picture a group of African women sitting around talking. A shade tree protects them from the hot sun. A gentle breeze pushes sand along the ground. Kids laugh and play in the background. A baby cries. Now picture a few of the women in the group crocheting. One is crocheting a small blanket. One puts the finishing stitch on a hat. Another is halfway through a pair of tiny socks. This is my vision of the future in Pemba, Mozambique. In my first few months in Pemba, three of the ladies I knew had babies. By the end of my first year, I knew at least ten new babies and several more pregnant ladies. Each newborn is bundled up in fabric to keep it warm. I have decided to use some of my free time in the U.S. to learn how to crochet. I want to crochet baby blankets, hats, and socks. My desire is to bring this new skill back to Pemba. I want to have gifts ready for women who have had babies while I was gone. I also want to teach a few of the women how to crochet. I told Mama R what I'm doing