Ballynacargy NS project uses yarn to create international bond with Tanzanian village

Items knitted by pupils of Ballynacargy NS have been donated to John McCauley’s Tanzanian Heavenly Homes project, to be used by the residents to ward off the night-time cold.

John brought the caps and wrist warmers out to Tanzania on his annual trip there this week.

For the past three years, local lady Vonnie O’Rourke has been teaching the pupils how to knit. She is part of the Ballynacargy adult knitting group that meets every Thursday evening between 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. in the Cara Phort Family Resource Centre in Ballynacargy.

Vonnie explained that Cara Phort FRC asked if she would be willing to go into the local school and teach the pupils to knit as part of the Our Voice, Our Wellbeing CYCPS funded scheme which aims to bring young and older people together.

“I went to the school and gave Friday morning classes to any of the 4th, 5th and 6th class students that wanted to knit. The boys and girls were equally interested. Some could knit before they started, others couldn’t, but they caught on fast. It is amazing to see the furious fingers, mad to get the knack of it, and so determined”, she said.

“I suggested to the principal Lorraine Rowan that John McCauley might come to the school and talk to the children about his work in Tanzania. She and the other teachers were delighted at the huge impression John made on the children, and the children enthusiastically embraced the idea of sending their knitted caps and wrist warmers to Tanzania with him,” Vonnie explained.

Ballynacargy adult knitting group “has been going for years”, Vonnie remarked. It was set up by the late Tess Coyne who was a talented knitter and an amazing craftswoman. Her legacy is now being carried on and passed on to the next generation.

The group is always looking for new members and anyone interested in joining should call Cara Phort on 044 9373060.