Comfort Dolls
My Auntie Jean makes time every day, knitting jumpers and beanies for children orphaned by AIDS in Malawi. This is part of a voluntary global knitting initiative, which has been underway since 2006.
As each child is dealing with grief along with physical hardship, with each jumper and beanie a small “comfort doll” is added. To date some 16 000 jumpers, beanies and comfort dolls have been made and sent to orphaned babies in Malawi, and 630 000 worldwide.
The shipping to Africa and distribution are co-ordinated through a small charity called Australian AIDS Fund, though the knitting project is a separate entity.
Any proceeds from the sale of my Comfort Dolls photo will be sent directly to Auntie Jean to help finance her wool purchases.
(public domain image – Malawi knitting project)
Comfort Dolls belongs to the following groups:
Pop Art Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Paul Compton
They’re gorgeous. A wonderful initiative. Aunty Jean seems like a real treasure.
John Douglas replied
Thansk Paul – yes she is a treasure – inspiring and wonderful and loving all in one.
flower68
what an angel.They’re so cute!Lovely photograph too :-)
John Douglas replied
ah thanks! x
Marion Cullen
What a lovely way of introducing a tiny bit of colour and caring into such hardship and tradgedy. The people, like your aunty Jean, that give of their time to projects such as this, are rarely recognised for their tireless work. This image is a lovely tribute to her and what she stands for.
John Douglas replied
yes she is wonderful what she does – I wish I could be so selfless
Susan Grissom
Auntie jean.does look like a treasure. I love these. very cute
John Douglas replied
they’re cute! And yes, jean is wonderful – glad she is around doing what she does.
Mariam Muradian
John, You and Auntie Jean sure have brightened my day!!!
What a wonderful hearted woman!!!
Oh I know her comfort dolls mean SO much to little hands and hearts!!!
Adorable!
Good of you to bring this to our attention, John.
Blessings to you, Auntie Jean, the Project, and the children….
XOXOX
John Douglas replied
Thanks Mariam, and you have sure brought brightness to my day! xx
John Douglas
For Australians seeking further information on the knitting project for Malawi, the contacts are:
Victoria: Elsie Mutton
Telephone: 03 9878 3898
E-mail: elsiem@bigpond.net.au
NSW: Lyn Grigor
28 Kula Rd Mendowie, NSW 2318
Telephone: 02 4982 8876
Queensland: Karen Gard
Telephone: 0407 177 657
E-mail: jumpers4thechildren@hotmail.com
South Australia: Kathie Montague
PO Box 307 Echunga, SA 5153
Telephone: 08 8388 8071
West Australia: Marcia Stretch
Telephone: 08 9439 3633
Tasmania: Dianna Morrison
Telephone: 0408994883
E-mail: dianamorrison1961@hotmail.com
Soxy Fleming!
This makes a pretty cute card!
John Douglas replied
ah thanks georgina – the card looks wonderful!
Christopher Bi...
you do good things on this place john!~
John Douglas replied
Thanks Christopher – least I can do to help out, personally am far too selfish with my time to be knitting or making stuff to send, so figure least i can do is help let people know about the project
CDrewHughes
I was drawn to to image, and to read what its about just made my heart melt!
Thankyou for giving out the information too!
John Douglas replied
Is wonderful to know there is a lot of good in the world, that good people are out there too. Thanks for looking – and for caring! x
CrunchyBear
what a wonderful cause and cute dolls…inspires me to get out there and volunteer!
John Douglas replied
Thanks Pam. I’m happy knowing your wonderful spirit and caring self are back on this site. x
Deborah Milligan
thanks john. its a beautiful image and a great story to hear. your auntie jean is a treasure.
John Douglas replied
Thanks very much Deb! Yes, hse’s awonderful, I’m proud to know jean.
paul romanowski
OH JHON, YOU MAKE ME SMILE :), LOL…..NEATO…
John Douglas replied
Thank YOU Paul! Smiles are always good to hear about! :)
grubbanax
I like how smug they look with their hands firmly in their pockets!
John Douglas replied
yes me too!
paul romanowski
Yup, oooooooooook…. :)
John Douglas replied
:) :) :)
paul romanowski
Yup….being good?
John Douglas replied
always good paul (evil grin)
Steven Guy
Hi John. I love your Aunty !
John Douglas replied
Thanks Steve – she is wonderful
Beatriz R. Ald...
What a wonderful idea John.
John Douglas replied
Thanks Bea, Jean is wonderful
pinkyjain
Such a wonderful Auntie & great lady. These are so cute & adorable. i bet they have comforted many a child. She has a beautiful heart
John Douglas replied
thanks pinky. yes she has a wonderful heart and am proud to know her all her life, lucky me – and the wonderful people she does these good things for.
Stephen Thomas
Great photo of these cute hand made dolls
John Douglas replied
Thanks Stpehen they’re veen cuter in rl, glad the photo maanged to capture some of their fun
blamo
Hats of to you both brilliant work
John Douglas replied
thanks very much blama, much appreciated!
kasiunia
your aunty is a great woman
John Douglas replied
yes she certainly is, I admire her a lot
Melissa Park
Really cute shot:) and best wishes to your Aunt, she is doing a truly wonderful thing!
John Douglas replied
thanks melissa, she is wonderful and am thankful to know her :)
AnitaInverarity
This is lovely- Your Auntie Jean is a true shining star x
John Douglas replied
merci! :)
Joni Philbin
Absolutely darling. If I knitted, I would join this effort. She is a sweet woman to do so.
John Douglas replied
thanks Joni yes she is a lovely person and glad to know her