Kisiizi


	Knitting for Kisiizi Hospital

Can something I knit here in my spare time actually get to Uganda and help someone so far away? The answer is yes, thanks to the organisation behind Knitting for Kisiizi.

kisiizi bootees kisiizi truck arrives kisiizi infant

The charity “Knitting for Kisiizi started in 1999 in a C. of E. church in Battle, U.K. Originally parcels were sent by post but as they didn’t always arrive, a local supermarket provided empty banana boxes and these are now sent more securely in a container lorry under the auspices of the Mid Africa Mission. Now three times a year a container lorry goes from Felixstowe to Mombasa with supplies for the hospital. It takes three months to get there and each box costs £15 to send

kisiizi map Kisiizi hospital

When a baby is born, mothers are given a blanket together with a vest, bootees, mittens, and a hat, often the child’s only clothing. To encourage the mother to bring her baby back for a full course of inoculation the mother is promised a further vest. Knitted teddies are also given.

kisiizi sister with mother kisiizi teddy


		Since 1999 “Knitting for Kisiizi” has sent: 22,816 baby vests 4,034 jumpers 6,336 blankets 6,502 pairs of mittens 7,222 pairs of bootees 3,750 baby hats 216 quilts 172 bed sheets That’s for an estimated 10,000 babies born over that period. About 30 babies are born every week.
	With encouragement from Cliff and Carol Finch Offington Park Methodist Church has also raised funds for the Charity. There have been two talks and coffee morning which raised nearly £300 and the Church gave some of the Gift Day Outward Giving to the charity. There is an ongoing need for this work. To find out about the whole Kisiizi charity including the hospital visit : www.kisiizi.supanet.com or if you want more information about knitting, contact Carol Finch at Offington Park Methodist Church

Carol Finch says:

When I started at the beginning of the year I put a knitting pattern in three issues of “Spot light”, Offington Park Church’s monthly magazine. Now things have grown from there and Cornerstone, Goring and Steyning Methodist churches have joined us to knit for Kisiizi.

In the first consignment in June 2007 we sent:
347 vests
9 blankets
136 pairs of bootees
100 pairs of mittens
9 newborn hats

Now I have a roomful of garments waiting for the January shipment, an amazing response from so many people. I really can’t say how many as there are even syndicates doing a bit of knitting each. About 100 people are involved from this church circuit.


	The knitting store at the hospital




	The knitting shop at the hospital


	The founder of Knitting for Kisiizi, Christine Vear ,died on 20 November 2007 Further details of the funeral : www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/news/Mourners-say-goodbye-to-popular.3550219.jp