…And that’s a wrap!

Thank you all for the effort you made for Dresses for Timor-Leste. The amazing total number of dresses was 232! And 57 pairs of shorts!

It just shows what can be achieved from a simple dream if everyone pulls together.

Yesterday we took the dresses and shorts to the Timorese embassy and to say everyone there was overwhelmed is a huge understatement. You can look at photos and appreciation on the Embassy’s Facebook page.

The clothes will be going to a Catholic organisation that runs several orphanages around Dili, the capital city, and to officials in more remote areas to be distributed. Every dress or pair of shorts will be going to a child in need. 

LTCOL Martin Dransfield said,’ A wonderful gift from Annie, Jane and the wonderful Wairarapa ladies to the many orphans and children in Timor-Leste who will treasure these taonga from Aotearoa. Obrigado barak (thank you very much).’

I think every dress is a taonga made precious by your love and care for the project.

So, thank you Paula for your initial fabric donation that got us off the ground, thank you Gill for giving over your spare room to dresses and fabric and for making so many gorgeous dresses. And a big thanks to everyone else who helped make this project a success.

I’ll be taking a break to rest and refocus but I want you to know that Dresses for Timor-Leste is just the beginning. When we receive photos of the girls and boys wearing our clothes, I’ll be in touch again.

Arohanui,

Annie