Kilkenny ‘mammies and grannies’ project is sending love to African orphans

A group of Kilkenny mothers and grandmothers have found a special way to send love to children in a South African orphanage.

The ‘loving, comforting blankets’ will soon be on their way to Elkana Childcare in Cape Town - a home that has long been supported by the people of South Kilkenny.

Kilnaspic Sewing Group is the latest bunch to give their support to Mooncoin man John Crowley, who has lead a charity fundraising effort for the orphanage for many years.

Mothers and grandmothers in the sewing group at the local Peoples Shed will be sending their blankets the 6,000 miles to South Africa in the coming weeks.

Elkana Childcare Centre is located in the town of Malmesbury on the Western Cape, an area known for its wine growing, about 60km north of Capetown.

The centre describes its purpose as ‘to transform the lives of children who live in severely adverse situations which negatively impacts on their positive development and future.’

At one of the organisation’s premises they offer ‘immediate safety and protection’ to 24 girls between the ages four and 17.
The girls are vulnerable and escaping from situations from extreme poverty to violence, crime and abuse. This short-term care allows social workers to find long-term, safe homes for the girls.

Afterschool
Elkana also provides afterschool programmes to 200 students between six and 18 at two local schools, where some are also provided with meals.

John Crowley is best known as a farmer and supplier of potatoes to local shops (and the odd politician or celebrity!). However, not as well known is that he is also the driving force behind sustaining charity contributions to Elkana Childcare.

It all began more than 30 years ago when John received a plea for a donation from the Catholic Welfare and Development organisation in South Africa. For a few years he sent a donation every Christmas but John always had a dream to actually visit Africa to help, kick a football with the kids or buy them an ice cream; just to do something to make life happier for the children.

He didn’t think he would ever actually get there though. And then Kilkenny won the All-Ireland in 2002 and the team holiday was to Cape Town.

“I said two plus two equals four,” John said, and he decided he would go on the trip with the team and other supporters.
In preparation for the trip he contacted the Catholic Welfare and Development organisation and asked if could they take him to four or five of their 32 projects while he was there.

On the flights to South Africa, John sat beside Kilkenny City councillor Joe Malone and hurler Tommy Walsh. By the time his tour of the charities took place he had been joined by them, Peter Barry and Richie Mullally.

They visited a township called Khayelitshia, 50km from Capetown, and a training centre for women. For the Irish group “it was an eye-opener,” John said. They decided they would start fundraising when they got back to Ireland.

Over the years the charity group here in Ireland has sent almost €500,000 to South Africa, and John has visited eight times. He has been chairman of the Irish charity for 20 years now, holding an AGM every year. As time has passed, the number of donors has fallen so John said it would be ‘great’ if anyone would like to contribute.

ABOVE: John Crowley and his wife Margaret are regular travellers from Mooncoin to Elkana where they meet the children at the orphanage

Heartbreaking
“They are lovely children. It breaks my heart the day I leave them. One girl told me that being at the centre was the first time she got love,” John said. “I tell them to have their dreams, have their ambitions; build up their confidence so they know they are special people. There’s nothing more rewarding in life.”

Many of the girls have shared with John and Margaret that they want to be social workers when they grow up. “Who better than them to know what’s needed,” he said.

Kilnaspic Sewing Group are currently working hard getting the blankets ready for the children at Elkana Childcare, for delivery on March 9. They have called them ‘loving comforting blankets’ and say they are made by mothers and grandmothers 6,000 miles away, who are sending their love, care and hugs to the girls. Contact John Crowley, Polerone, Mooncoin if you would like to help.
Anyone who would like to donate to the charity can contact John on 085-8088005.