Activity: Little Dresses for Africa
Club: Manitowoc County 4-H groups
Date of Activity: October 1, 2013 – March 15, 2014
Number of people who worked on project: 18 youth; 20 adults
Number of hours: 360 hours
Over 350 pillowcase dresses were constructed by 4-H members, leaders, and HCE members in Manitowoc County. Local thrift shops and families donated pillowcases, thread and notions to make dresses. These dresses will be delivered to orphan girls in villages across the continent of Africa by local missionary groups from Manitowoc County. This project has enabled individuals to participate at whatever level they were able through donations, sewing, sorting, packaging, or delivering the dresses.
Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit 501c3, Christian organization, which provides relief to the children of Africa. Simple dresses are made out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy!
LDA mission is to provide relief to children of Africa, by distributing dresses to little girls, primarily in African villages, but also other countries in crisis. Because of the widespread AIDS pandemic, little girls are often left to be the primary care givers of their young siblings. They have little resources and many times have only rags for clothing. Due to cultural differences, orphan girls have few opportunities and are not considered valuable in the African communities.
Why Pillowcases? They are readily available and because the hem is already in the material, even a novice seamstress can be involved in this worthwhile project. The pillowcase pattern has been around since the Pioneer days. They are simple, come in all sizes, materials and colors. This idea was an instant hit and the word spread quickly around the country as people joined together in something so simple that would make such a huge difference in the life of a little girl.
4-H youth learned that they can make a difference in the lives of orphaned and impoverished children around the world by making dresses for “Little Dresses for Africa”. Sewing workshops were held to teach youth how to make a pillowcase dress. Individuals that have visited African villages in the past made presentations and shared their knowledge of the African communities. 4-Hers also learned about African countries, climate, and music. 4-H members learned games played by African children and tasted cookies made from an African recipe. The Little Dresses for Africa project crossed generational lines getting youth, parents, grandparents, aunts, and cousins involved.
