WiserEarth Editors

Handmade dolls are made all around the world for the carers to give to children for their emotional wellbeing. The HIC/AIDS pandemic heightens the traumas of poverty, malnutrition and loss.  The dolls are creatively designed to suit the African culture.



KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is home to one quarter of South Africa’s children. Two in every three of them live in poverty and 1.5 million are younger than six. The HIV and AIDS pandemic affects everyone, and the ravages of the pandemic increase the vulnerability of all children. Children need the loving care of at least one adult for optimal growth and development. When one in five children has already lost one or both parents to the AIDS, the care-giving capacity of families is stretched and at times overwhelmed. While nutritious food, clean water, shelter and education are essential for a child’s wellbeing, so is play.

Play enables children to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually in a more robust way. Through play children have the opportunity to experience delight and to unleash their imagination. They may also express their grief and loss, and come to better understand things that trouble or confuse them. One grandmother may have up to a dozen children in her care, and some children live in child-headed households. Tired, grieving and overburdened caregivers sometimes need help to find a place in their day to day lives to support and join in their children’s play. 

To support this process, dollmakers around the world, provide handmade dolls, sewn or knitted, for the caregivers to give their children.

We Need:

• thousands more handmade “African style” dolls to send. We invite everyone – individuals, schools and groups- to make dolls for these precious children, children of our world’s family.

• funds for the psycho-social training in KZN of community leaders and NGO's.
• funds are also needed for freight  and distribution expenses.
• funds to facilitate the participation of dollmakers whether individuals, schools and groups through production costs of an educational DVD, pattern manuals, posters, display equipment and workshop manuals.

Uthando is the isiZulu word for love. To support caregivers and their children in discovering the joys and the richness of play, Uthando Project distributes dolls in KwaZulu-Natal.

We are also happy to provide patterns and ideas to any similarly motivated people anywhere in the world. Over the years we have handled thousands of dolls with lessons learned. Dolls can be sorted into three groups: decorative, comfort and expressive play. Each has its value and Uthando has refined its focus on to making dolls for children’s expressive play. As such they need to be made to withstand lots of handling and need strong hair and arms with a no flop head. The dolls need to have brown skin, and the children love them when they are dressed in bright clothing, which, preferably, can be taken on and off easily by little hands.
Could YOU make a doll for a child who has never had one?

If you can sew, knit, or crochet . . . we have the patterns. You can be as creative as you like - all we ask is that your doll be sturdy, cuddly and colourful with brown skin.
Where are the dolls going?

To children living in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where two thirds of children live in poverty. All have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and one in five children grieves the loss of one or both parents.

Dolls are distributed through the agencies TREE (Training Resources in Early Education) and the CINDI (Children in Distress) network.

Who makes the dolls?
Anyone! This is a grassroots project. Craft groups, individuals, school children, seniors, church groups . . . all want to send something made with their own hands, to show children and families living midst the pandemic that they are not forgotten by the rest of the world.
How did the project begin?
In 2004, Dr Julie Stone, an infant, child & family psychiatrist visited South Africa. She witnessed the stark situation and invited people to respond by making dolls. Since then, many have. Uthando means 'love' in the Zulu language.
How many dolls have been sent?
Dolls have arrived in KwaZulu-Natal from all over the world. Over 8000 dolls have been sent from Perth. KwaZulu-Natal has 1.5 million children under the age of 6, and each one would love a doll of their own.
How are the dolls used?
The dolls are an invitation to play. They will bring delight to the children and their carers. This play may help the child with grief and loss. To own and play with their own doll encourages a child's development in all spheres: physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual.

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What else is happening in KZN?

Hundreds of local programs work with children and families, at an individual, community and state level. Our aim is to support them in their work. They have asked for as many dolls as we can supply.

Uthando volunteers have also visited KZN to train community leaders and carers in doll-making, so that they can now teach others. RobS, as our partner, delivers the training in understanding more deeply the emotional needs of the child and the vital role of play.

What are the statistics?

In the part of KZN where our work began, where the AIDS pandemic is most severe, one in five children grieves the loss of one or both parents and up to 60% of young women may be HIV+.