Global Endeavor Warms Preemies and Stokes Global Interest in Kazakh Innovation
Group Knitters' Mission: Empowering Newborns Globally
Hailing from Astana, the 28 Loops Public Foundation has been tirelessly supporting premature infants in Kazakhstan since 2012. This charitable organization, founded by the multitalented Karla Nur, empowers these vulnerable babies with hand-knitted woolen garments, aiding in heat retention and energy conservation.
The project has grown from humble beginnings to a world-renowned movement, with volunteers in every major Kazakh city and 13 countries, unified by the shared goal of helping vulnerable newborns.
As its founder, Karla sculpted the foundation into an organization with approximately 150 branches and over 6,000 energetic volunteers. Their hard work has resulted in the donation of over 400,000 knitted items.
Expecting newcomers? While the foundation doesn't actively seek volunteers, word of mouth has been instrumental in spreading the word about this meaningful cause. In an interview with The Astana Times, Karla explained that they assist new branches with remote training and offer guidance along the way.
The foundation has enforced some simple yet essential rules for branch volunteers:
- Timely Delivery: Volunteers are expected to deliver knitted items quarterly based on regional birth rates to ensure they're helping where they're needed most.
- Regular Meetings: Staying connected and supportive is paramount-this is why regular meetings are required among volunteers.
- Crafting Standards: All items must be made from 100% wool to ensure the best quality and care for the newborns.
- Social Media Sharing: Sharing updates on social media platforms like Instagram is vital in expanding the foundation's reach and inspiring others to join.
Unfamiliar with knitting? No need to worry-the foundation offers lessons for beginners, ensuring anyone looking to help can participate. Even men get in on the action!
Karla recalled her own knitting struggles; she didn't know a stitch when she first started but managed to learn with her fellow club members. Her first project, a pair of socks, turned out looking more like a triangle. Persistence, practice, and the unbreakable bond formed within the club proved worthwhile.
A Touch of Comfort: Knitted Sets for Premature Newborns
Each knitted set includes essential items such as a blanket, vest, socks, cap, and a unique octopus-shaped toy. The significance of the latter may seem unclear at first, but these adorable sea creatures offer greater benefits than just comfort. When a newborn grabs the toy, the tentacles imitate the mother's umbilical cord, calming the infant and preventing them from pulling out medical sensors.
New knitters are asked to bring their yarn and knitting needles for their first meeting. The self-funded foundation depends on its members to cover material costs. Highly dedicated volunteers take the initiative to knit sets in bulk, which can be costly. In such instances, the foundation seeks sponsors to help purchase yarn, ensuring knitters have the necessary resources to make a difference in a newborn's life.
Beyond Newborns: The Foundation's Wide-Ranging Impact
For the parents of premature babies, the knitted sets offer both emotional and medical support. Over the years, Karla has received heartwarming messages from grateful mothers who appreciate the comfort provided by the handmade garments. One desperate mother expressed her gratitude, explaining how the sight of her baby wrapped in the knitted items was a source of comfort during a difficult time.
But the foundation's impact extends beyond its beneficiaries-it has also affected the lives of its volunteers. Karla shared a powerful story about a paralyzed volunteer, Violetta Nikolaevna, who joined the club. Determined to recover, she asked for knitting needles and a crochet hook immediately following her hospitalization. Initially struggling, she eventually improved with practice. An incredible nine months later, she miraculously walked into a club meeting.
These heartwarming tales demonstrate the silver lining hidden within adversity and the immense power of community spirit.
The foundation's success speaks volumes about Kazakhstan's supportive environment for volunteerism and charity. Karla expressed her gratitude towards the government's lenient documentation and tax requirements, noting that the best support they receive is visibility.
The 28 Loops Public Foundation's legacy has inspired numerous similar initiatives in Kazakhstan, including Threads of Goodness, 40 Loops, and Early Rehabilitation of Newborns. With each knitted set, the organization continues to weave hope and warmth into the lives of premature newborns and their families-one stitch at a time.
- A yarn-knitting novice like Karla can become an expert with practice and support from fellow club members, proving that anyone can contribute to the foundation's mission.
- Apart from health-and-wellness benefits, the unique octopus-shaped toy in the knitted sets for premature newborns offers comfort by imitating the mother's umbilical cord and preventing them from pulling out medical sensors.
- The 28 Loops Public Foundation, with its commitment to science and health-and-wellness, extends its impact beyond newborns by offering lessons for beginners, fostering a growing community of volunteers.
- The heavy demand for knitted items calls for increased resources, and thus the foundation encourages fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts and nutrition-conscious individuals to step forward as sponsors, helping cover yarn costs and allowing more contributions to be made in the name of newborns' wellbeing.
