Krochet Kids International - Some gift ideas for the guys!!

   I'm happy to introduce to you Krochet Kids International, a project based in Northern Uganda and in Peru. I love that they are empowering women who have lived lives of poverty by giving them a chance to make a living and provide for their families. 

Here is their story:

THE CRAFT

Among other things, my older brother taught me how to crochet.  Shortly thereafter I passed the skill onto my friends Travis and Stewart.  Being avid snow sports enthusiasts, we liked the idea of having our own unique headwear on the mountain and, though it was not a normal hobby for high school guys, we reveled in the novelty of it.

Before long our creations caught the attention of our classmates and we began taking custom orders and selling our crocheted masterpieces to anyone who would buy them.  It was a local newspaper in our hometown of Spokane, WA that officially dubbed us the “Krochet Kids”.  At that time our only expense outside of yarn and hooks was a hot-air balloon ride for our prom dates.  With that, one chapter of our story was closed.

A DREAM

College found us three friends at different schools.  Although there were brief resurgences of the crochet craze amongst new friends, we ultimately began exploring new opportunities — surfing, traveling.  During our summer breaks we volunteered in various developing nations, hoping to gain a better understanding of the global community in which we lived.  It wasn’t long before we came to realize how blessed we had been growing up.  The desire was planted within us to help.  To reach out in love.  To make a difference.

It was around this time that an idea was born.  One which involved a familiar trade.  Friends and family encouraged us to teach people in developing countries how to crochet as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.  At first, I thought the world needed something more drastic than crochet, something much more profound.  That was until Stewart returned home after a summer spent in Uganda.

AN OPPORTUNITY

Stew told us about a people that had been living in government camps for over 20 years due to a rebel army that had ravaged the north part of the country.  Entire generations grew up only knowing the camp and relying solely on the government and aid organizations for their every need.  They were sick and tired of being dependent upon these operating bodies and they wanted to work and provide for their own families.

It was then that we realized the simplicity of crocheting to be its most profound quality.  With hook and yarn people could make amazing products.  Being paid a fair wage to do so would allow for them, for the first time, to provide for their families and begin planning for the future.  By teaching these people to crochet, we would be empowering them to rise above poverty.  We decided right then that we were going to do exactly that.

A GROWING COMMUNITY

The Krochet Kids quickly grew beyond us to incorporate close friends who shared this desire to see Northern Uganda transformed by hook and yarn.  Halfway through college at this point, we applied to become a non-profit organization and began crocheting again to sell hats and share our vision for what we planned to do.

The following summer, after countless skype meetings and late nights, we found ourselves sitting in a simple brick hut with a group of Ugandan women and bags full of yarn.  What followed thereafter remains to be one of the most surreal experiences of my life, as we watched these ladies nearly master crocheting before our eyes.  Tears, primarily from Stewart, were in abundance.

A REALITY

Krochet Kids intl. has continued to grow and evolve in ways we never imagined since we earned our non-profit status in 2007.  Today, over 100 people go to our compound in Northern Uganda everyday to work and to rewrite their stories for the better.  The products created abroad have been well received here at home and the cooperation of our staff in America and artists in Northern Uganda has created a sustainable cycle of employment and empowerment.

Uganda is but one microcosmic example of what we hope to replicate throughout impoverished communities around the globe.  Join with us as we continue to spread the good word of hope and empowerment …

BUY A HAT.  CHANGE A LIFE.

-Kohl Crecelius, CEO & Co-founder

   Inside every hat there is a tag with the signature of the woman who made it. You can go to http://www.krochetkids.org/ and find the profile of the woman who made your hat and write her a personal note of thanks. Here is one of the beautiful women who work for Krochet Kids in Uganda:

AKONGO CHRISTINE

Akongo Christine was abducted as a young girl and forced to be a child soldier for many years. Although she has struggled to forget the trauma that she suffered during that time, Christine says that she is healing with the help of the other women at KKU. Additionally, she is proud to be learning to read and write in the adult literacy courses offered at the compound. She thanks KKU for changing her life and looks forward to her bright future.

DREAM FOR THE FUTURE

“I hope to start my own business so that I never have to return to the difficult life that I had before coming to KKU.”

HOBBIES

“I enjoy keeping visitors, socializing with others, praying, digging and listening to gospel music.”

MESSAGE TO KKI

“Continue in your spirit of giving so that you can change more lives like you have changed mine.”

Some great gift ideas for the guys!

 Cute hats and shirts for the ladies:

   Make a difference this Christmas through the gifts you purchase! You can purchase all of the above items at: http://www.krochetkids.org/shop/

Love,

Jessica

All of the pictures and information were used with permission and can be found at: http://www.krochetkids.org/