Being diagnosed with a rare disease can be overwhelming and lonely. For this reason, Rare Diseases South Africa decided to give its members a little comfort through crochet bears. The organisation started its Rare Bear Project.
As it states: “We wanted bears that were RARE for our rare warriors so that they could have a friend with them through their tough times, and to remind them that they have support from their rare family.”
This also provided an opportunity to create employment for women from local townships who earn a portion of the profits from the bear sales.
As the organisation says: “We start a skills clinic with the ladies living in KyaSands.
“We wanted to teach them a skill that could sustain them, as well as one that could be passed down to their children, and thus crochet lessons began!” The unique touch that each lady gives to their bears make them rare.
Bears can be purchased from the project for R180 or donates to a warrior for R150. To learn more about the project, visit the website at www.rarebearproject.org or contact the Rare Bear Project at hello@rarebearproject.org or on 072 476 7552.
