A batch of dolls made by our Year 9 Childcare students will be shipped to Africa to provide comfort for children in need.
Comet Bay College students have taken part in the Uthando Project for almost a decade, designing and sewing dolls for children in the AIDS-plagued Kwazulu-Natal communities.
The Uthando Project was established by Dr Julie Stone in 2004 after witnessing the plight of children in KZN whose lives were severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping their continent.
Food Science and Technology Teacher Shabana Tagore said working on the project gave students a greater understanding of the social and emotional development of children and meaningful communication through play.
“Play is essential for children’s healthy development and a child’s need for play can be lost when families and communities are in challenging situations,” Mrs Tagore said.
“The HIV/AIDS pandemic has brought trauma, grief and loss to many, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
“By engaging in this project the students not only have a better understanding of the importance of play but have put theory into practice by stimulating the ‘passive state’ in the life of an underprivileged child.
“The hand-made dolls are designed to be lovely gifts in themselves, but also to make students reflect on how we can support the world’s children.
“The project has had a calm and unifying effect on the class and often students were seen helping and sharing ideas with each other.”
