project: hacky

There are several worthy projects for crocheters and knitters out there currently. I am hoping there is room for just one more. I am making these crocheted juggling balls, more popularly known as hacky sacks, for children that live in the Nueva Vida refugee camp in Nicaragua.  I took the above photo when I was there in 2004 with an organization called Orphan Network.

My good friend Joe has organized a feeding center in Nueva Vida and it has been operating successfully now there for over a year. It is an amazing testament to what one person can do. You can see more on this at Katie's blog. Joe will be returning to the area in May.  I am not exagerating when I say that my heart aches to be going with he and the other volunteers, however finances, the move and other factors prevent me from doing so.  Instead, I would like to be able to send as many hacky sacks as possible with him. Mail is difficult in that area, so the only way to get them there is to send them with him in his luggage. Hacky sacks are perfect as they do not take up much room.

One thing that my last visit to Nicaragua taught me is that more than food, more than clothing, these people need to know that they are genuinely cared about.  It was not plating up food for the children, or handing out American hand me down clothes that made the biggest imact on them (and us).  It was the interaction...playing Marco Polo in a dirty, half-painted swimming pool, it was the older girls teaching us their dances. I think that handing these kids a hacky sack and then playing a game or two with them after their bellies are full can have the same life changing effect. It is such a small thing, but one that can leave a lasting impression of somone caring enough to make a small ball with thier own hands and then the game that follows.

If anyone is interested in crocheting or knitting one or ten of these, please reply in the comments section. If there is enough interest, I will post the complete info. (with patterns, etc.) in a more formal fashion.

P.S.  Erin, thank you for your yarn.  This is where it is going.