Mary T Pierce, PILC
Two years ago I asked two of my Irish friends from the
Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC), Alana Clarke and Geraldine McEvoy,
if they would like to assist in teaching the children at Fountain of Life
(FoL) knitting. They both agreed so the three of us set off the following
Monday afternoon to the FoL with wool and needles.
Children at the Fountain of Life are quite excited to learn how to knit.
The age of the children ranged from 6 to 12 years and it
took some time to teach them due to some leaving to go to mainstream school.
We were surprised to learn that the boys were much faster to learn than the
girls.
The children became quite proficient therefore it was
decided to make a blanket from knitted squares; 30 stitches and 30 rows.
Sister Joan agreed to knit a square for us. Even though she is from west of
Ireland were they are expert knitters, the home of the Arran jumper - her
square has still not materialised - perhaps it’s her age!
We came across certain challenges, dropped stitches, too
many rows, holes in the square, which all meant that the square had to be
undone and re-started. Unfortunately, Geraldine relocated to Bangkok last
year and Alana is due to leave Pattaya this coming July. Therefore we
decided to collectively knit as many squares as possible. Earlier this year
my sister Christina came on holiday from Ireland and was here for six weeks.
She helped by knitting a few extra squares.
Students and teachers create squares.
We have a total of 42 squares now, all made and sewn
together to form a blanket, and it is be donated to Women with a Mission who
will give it to needy Burmese children who live in northern Thailand where
it can get very cold. The children of the FoL became quite excited when they
saw the completed blanket and are looking forward to help in making another.
Perhaps we can start next with Sister Joan’s first square.
If there is any ladies who have “double knitting” wool
(other sizes are unsuitable) that they no longer need, please donate it to
the FoL. Better still, if you can knit and have spare time on a Monday
afternoon please come along to FoL to assist in teaching the children
knitting. You will be made very welcome and it would be much appreciated.
Finally, heartfelt thanks go to Geraldine for helping to
knit the first squares and to Alana who has devoted a lot of time not only
in helping to finish the blanket but also with other FoL projects.
Additionally, Alana helped with the PILC Welfare group.
Sister Joan, the FoL staff, children and the writer will miss Alana very
much.
