Keedo News

Rag dolls to heal communities

Prof. Lorna Jacklin (Children’s Disability Centre), Nelia Schutte (Founder of Keedo) and Dr. Lindsay Lindzer (Geophysics) have been the driving forces of one of these projects. Together with Fetola Mmoho, a truly authentic South African rag doll was created that represents different cultures. With its beautiful old fashioned rag doll with a focus on the use of natural materials (100% cotton), Keedo cares dolls offers parents and children a huggable, non-plastic, non-technological alternative that will give children the opportunity to let their imaginations fly. Every doll also makes it possible for disadvantaged women and disabled children to spread their wings as they will benefit from this project. In the near future people will be able to ‘adopt a doll’ and sponsor it for a 12/24 month period – this option will be offered at special fashion shows, in Keedo stores and online at www.keedo.com .All profits of the ‘adopt a doll’ project will go towards the Children’s disAbility Centre, Johannesburg General Hospital to assist not only the children, but to also take the financial burden away from their families. The Disability Centre does amazing work to meet the needs of children with visual impairment and autism and their goal is for each child to reach their full potential. Each unique handmade Keedo Cares Rag doll has an embroidered heart, a name and birth date with a unique birth certificate. They are manufactured by a group of previously disadvantaged women in Diepsloot, Johannesburg who are trained and assisted by Equip – a project aimed at creating sustainable job opportunities for communities. In addition to the ‘adopt a doll’ programme, Keedo will purchase dolls from the community project and sell it in-store and online in South Africa and globally. A percentage of all rag doll retail sales will go towards Mama Amelia who runs a home for destitutre children (mostly as a result of AIDS) in Mfuleni, near Cape Town.