On Saturday, November 19th, 2011, ten women refugees from Bhutan collectively earned over $500.00 in less than three hours by selling over 35 homemade knitted and crochet products. Stitch DC, a local knitting shop in Washington, D.C., graciously opened their doors allowing the women to sell their products.
This was the first opportunity the women had had in selling crafts since moving to the United States.
The women have been involved in a sewing group that was created within the Bhutanese Community Program (BCP) at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Over the last eight months, yarn and sewing materials were donated to the Bhutanese women to provide them with startup materials. Using techniques the women learned in Nepal and Bhutan, they knitted a variety of products including scarves, hats, and baby clothes.
If you have any questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing products, please do not hesitate to email Megan Lind at Megan.Lind@rescue.org or Hanako Kubori at Hanako.Kubori@rescue.org or call us at 301.562.8633 ext. 202.
The women intend to continue to develop their skills and create new products. Therefore, any donations (yarn, sewing needles, looms, etc.) that you can provide are still greatly appreciated. For more information about donating items, or to make your donation today, please contact Erica.Marcus@rescue.org with Bhutanese Women's Sewing Project in the subject line. All knitting/sewing/crocheting donations can be sent to the following address:
International Rescue Committee
c/o Bhutanese Community Program
8719 Colesville Road
3rd Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910
United States
