What happens when crafty ex-pats living in Hamburg, Germany get together? Big things, that’s what! Jessica Allen, originally a friend of Beth Graß and now a friend to all of us, felt a calling to rally the crafty ladies of her area sewing bee for a Craft Hope project. An Aussie currently residing in Germany, she is the owner of her own business, Gus & Ollie and makes the most adorable sock monkeys you have ever laid your eyes on. Many of us had already met as a group last year to work on the heart pillows, which were donated to the oncology department of a hospital in Lüneburg and have continued to express an interest in getting involved in another charity project. Now Jess and Craft Hope have given us that push to do more, namely by making educational bean bags for orphans in Liberia.
On a Wednesday evening in April, we gathered at Beth’s home with our sewing machines and fabric scraps, and whatever supplies we could find. Some items needed to be purchased at our own expense, but, well, that is what you do when performing good deeds for those in need. We worked with ladies from Toytown, an English group also here in Hamburg of which Beth and Jess are also members. We met to collaborate and work together towards this common goal of making bean bags for the children in Liberia. We represented Australia, America, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Denmark and Germany. One community uniting to help another. Beautiful! We discussed how this is such a fantastic way to be able to help others. This is a way for us to step outside of our own world to help people, who, in almost every way, are less fortunate than we are. Everyone was personally touched by the project and was eager to find out more about Craft Hope, already planning more sewing bees for the future.
Over two evenings we were able to complete 10 sets of bean bags, including tote bags to carry them in. What a sense of accomplishment. Jess posted our story and pictures on the Craft Hope website and received many words of praise and thanks from the Craft Hope project manager and the orphanage in Liberia that will receive the bean bags. Jess Allen and the ladies of the AWC Hamburg and Toytown are a wonderful example of the old adage that all it takes is one idea to make a difference in many people’s lives. A big shout out and thank you to the generous women of the Craft Hope sewing bee in Hamburg, Germany.
Submitted by AWC Hamburg FAWCO Rep
Tracy Moede
