Group makes sleep mats from bags
You would think that everyone has a bed to sleep on — well not so.
It is hard to believe that something as simple as a bed, which we take for granted, is considered a luxury in Africa, Haiti and other parts of the developing world, but it truly is.
Thanks to a small group of ladies in Carleton Place, many children can now sleep on a mat made from old milk bags. The mats, made during countless hours of volunteer work by the ladies, serves as a bed and provides the children with a good night’s sleep off the bare ground.
At St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at 39 Bridge St., the ladies recently gathered to take part in a milk-bag mat weaving workshop. It proved to be very successful, and the next workshop is now being planned for January.
Weaving the mats is a lot easier to do than crocheting them. At the workshop, the ladies will demonstrate how to work on a loom to weave the desperately needed mats. This process is much easier than it sounds, so don’t let that scare you.
It takes three complete mats to make an adult-size bed. The ladies put them together and then crochet around the outside to give the mats a finished edge. It takes 500 to 600 milk bags to make just one mat.
The ladies cut the milk bags with a cutting wheel and pad — which is easier and quicker than with scissors.
Milk bags are always needed, and if everyone started to save them imagine how many mat beds could be made. Once finished, the mats are shipped to Africa and Haiti.
This is a project that gives great joy to the heart, and when the ladies hold the finished products they feel great satisfaction.
Just knowing that a mat will provide one more child with a bed is comforting. The dedication to this project is definitely is a labour of love.
When you get into your bed tonight, think of all of the children who are not as fortunate. Give Rhoda or Ronette a call today, and become part of this group, meet new ladies, share stories around the table and help to make a difference in a child’s life. Their goal is to make as many mat beds as possible. Your helping hands and milk bags are needed.
It warms the heart to know that all of the hours spent making a mat bed give so much joy to others. You can be a part of this project and help send more.