#Disasterknitting

That spark of inspiration at 4am is gaining momentum!  Frustrated with wanting to help the affected communities following the Kaikoura earthquake, but being out of work having just finished university course with no money to spare, I decided to donate my craft skills instead.  I have set up three auctions to monetise my skills and donate to the Red Crosses Earthquake Appeal.   I have spoken a little about why money is the best way to donate here: http://junipersnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016_11_01_archive.html
I want to encourage other crafters to do the same, by selling hand spun wool, finished garments or designs and donating to either the Red Cross or another similar appeal to support the affected communities following the Kaikoura earthquake.  Please post ideas and listings here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Disasterknitting/

My other aims are to promote a partnership between Creative fiber, other local NZ fiber groups, and the Red Cross's Knitty knatter community support groups.  The benefits of craft such as knitting have been well proven to reduce stress as well as provide links for supportive communities to form.  These values are held in high regard by both Creative Fibre and the Red Cross, so a partnership makes sense.   Additionally, there are many knitting, crochet, and fiber groups in NZ not under the creative fiber group and it is about time we had one NZ nationwide organisation to support all wool fiber crafts.

A great article on the benefits of knitting groups following the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake can be seen in this article "Japanese elderly knit a safety net" http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203833004577248771587717902

And completed......

The last assignment has been handed in for marking, the three-hour exam has been sat and the very large celebratory glass of Central Otago Red wine has been savored.   I have now formally completed all of my Post Graduate Diploma studies and await the final grade. Next step, find a job or look at further study..... There are some interesting opportunities out there, more so following Monday's 7.5 Kaikoura Earthquake.  I have to admit it's been very frustrating wanting to help and get involved, however, a much-needed break and relaxing holiday in New Plymouth was underway when the quake struck.  Followed by severe weather, flooding and landslides in the Wellington Region that made driving impossible, so I decided to stay put.  The recovery from the quake is going to be a long process that will take years, so energy recharging and pacesetting will be vital before I jump into the next thing.

https://www.facebook.com/NewZealandDefenceForce/

I have however come up with a unique way to support the disaster recovery efforts, despite my lack of available cash.  I have decided to auction off three of my hand-knitted shawls to donate all the money to the Red Cross Kaikoura earthquake appeal.  This way my skills can be monetised to support the local kiwi's and visiting tourists affected by the disaster.  The Red Cross do an awesome job on the group of supporting the victims both through making sure they receive the psychosocial support and physical support they need.  Money is the best way to donate as that allows the right items to be purchased locally, removing issues of transporting goods, duplication of goods or goods that are unsuitable and supporting the local economy.  Many victims being airlifted from the Kaikoura area are leaving with just a carrier bag of items.  The Red Cross can then provide vouchers for them to buy clothes and hygiene products and support them in the coming weeks with accommodation and other welfare support.  Admittedly they are not the only group that does such excellent work on the ground, The Salvation Army are another international aid group that assist.  At the time of writing the Red Cross appeal is the main fundraising appeal, others will undoubtedly be set up in the coming weeks to support residents over the coming years.

I will do a separate post giving more details of my #disasterknitting initiative and set out my vision.  Hopefully, with time on my hands, I will be able to continue to blog in the coming weeks and share some of the many valuable aspects of emergency management I have learned in the last nine months.