7 Rivers Knitters

The African Dolls

As part of our job-skills development programme, marginalised women in our rural area are knitting the increasingly famous African dolls and now ten African animals.

  • The girl doll has beaded braids and a purse.

  • The boy doll has short dreadlocks, a backpack, and tekkies (sneakers).

  • For the African animals, we have the Big Five (elephant, Cape buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard), and also zebra, hippo, monkey, giraffe, and cheetah.

  • The baby doll has a cap and a blanket.

All dolls and animals were designed by Elly Yoder. Each doll is unique because they are handmade. The dolls stand 35-45cms (14-18 inches) tall and are perfect for cuddling, role play, and display. The clothing and bows are knitted in a variety of colours, or are sewn using local Zulu cloth. The African animals are smaller 22 cms (9 inches) and come with overalls or pinafore.

In South Africa, dolls can be purchased at Woza Moya, 26 Old Main Road in Hillcrest (+27-31-765-5866), or Fields Shopping Centre in Kloof, or in the Windermere Shopping Centre. Check out their website at www.wozamoya.co.za

If you are not in KwaZulu-Natal Province, place orders with Karin Brown at KBrownRSA@gmail.com. In the USA, payment can be made online at BMW Online. Shipments of dolls to the US are made in early July and early December each year.

In other locations worldwide, special arrangements will need to be made with DHL.

BIBLE STUDY & KNITTING

The 7 Rivers Knitters meet once a week and begin with a Bible study. Their theme verse is Colossians 2:2 - “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of the full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.” They are currently working through the Gospel of Mark and memorising verses in isiZulu. They then spend time knitting, sewing, and planning before heading home to continue working on their dolls.

A brief history of the growth of the 7 Rivers Knitters since 2021.

Our ladies in April, 2024

20 Benefits to Our Ladies

  1. Listening to expository Bible study

  2. Reading God’s Word aloud

  3. Memorising God’s Word

  4. Singing God’s Word (3 original songs so far)

  5. Having a copy of God’s Word (2020 Zulu version given after attending 3 times)

  6. Learning where books of the Bible are located

  7. Praying together

  8. Learning to knit

  9. Learning to read a knitting pattern

  10. Learning to sew

  11. Joy of creating beautiful things to sell

  12. Learning to create different products – African dolls, Zulu decorative pillow covers, etc.

  13. Dignity of earning an income for good work completed

  14. Community upliftment as they together earn money

  15. Community fellowship as they gather each week

  16. Learning business skills – law of supply and demand

  17. Learning banking – many have opened their first bank account

  18. Learning WhatsApp – some now have funds to buy data for a basic phone

  19. Learning punctuality and faithful attendance (must be on time to submit work)

  20. Learning English