The twin Mongolian boys in this photo are sharing one jacket and sporting brand new hats knit by someone in North America. These warm items were distributed by relief volunteers this past fall as part of The Dulaan Project, 2006. This project was formed as a way for Ryan over at Mossy Cottage Knits to knit more and do good. Ryan wrote:
Dulaan is a cooperative effort of the Flagstaff International Relief Effort (F.I.R.E., 501c3), Mossy Cottage Knits, and the Kunzang Palyul Chöling (KPC) Buddhist community of Poolesville, Maryland. Dulaan (which is Mongolian for “warm”) is dedicated to helping the struggling and impoverished children and adults of Mongolia. Due to economic and political upheaval, unusual and disastrous weather conditions which have devastated the nomads’ livestock herds, and “normal” weather conditions which frequently reach -40 degrees in the winter, there are many children who live in heating ducts below the capital city of Ulaan Bataar, and adults who scavenge through garbage heaps to survive.This past year, they gathered more than 12,085 items and distributed and the pictures are in. Some will warm your heart while others will break it. Cuzzin Tom, the photographer, pointed out that these were taken when temperatures were already as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cuzzin's written reaction:
"In general, I was so moved by the knitted items I saw. So skillfullyThe Dulaan Project, 2007, is open now. The goal this year is to provide 12,086 items; many participants this year are pledging to make at least 5 items. Visit the site for patterns and more information.
made, some individually wrapped, some with home-made tags. It was a
sheer joy to give them away. I mean this. We gave tons of stuff to
maybe 40 families that day; Meredith will have the country-wide total,
but the Dulaanettes have touched so many lives. I tried to explain to
each one that these were gifts of friendship. Almost everyone got a
hat, scarf, kids all got sweaters, many got scarves and mittens, great
stuff for babies (some pregnant ladies were thrilled). Old folks and
little ones got felt blankets. You all made a difference. A big one."
photo credit:Cuzzin Tom .
crossposted at BlogHer.
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