Lala Salama - launching the 100 Quilts Project

Lala Salama – launching our 100 quilts project! (22/10/13)

Hello All,

I have copied the blog of my friend Mardi Steere below as she said it beautifully!  We are launching this quilting project - read on and sign up if you are a quilter!

In His Hands,

Jullie T.

Me and Jullie, eMi engineer helping Bethany Kids

As many of you know, construction is underway on our new pediatric wing at the hospital.  Bethany Kids is an organisation that provides the support for all of our pediatric surgical work at the hospital, and our pediatric team couldn't do what we do without them – and now they are building this lovely new wing so we can provide better care for more kids in Kenya.

Bricks and mortar take a lot of planning, design and fundraising, so the interior design hadn't been a priority until recently.  The budget for donated buildings is always incredibly tight, and spending money on an interior design consultant is a luxury that is rarely afforded.  Enter:  Amanda Webster, a dear friend of ours in Florida who happens to be an award-winning interior designer.  She graciously and prayerfully donated her time, asking herself the question:  what kind of theme would fit a place committed to serving the sick and the vulnerable?

And what she came back with is this:  a river of life – teals flowing gently through the entry, halls and nursing stations, to islands of calming greens in the patient bays.  And then Jullie, our engineer with Engineering Ministries International, came up with a lovely idea:  Quilts.  Made by friends and supporters all over the world.  Each quilt in a green palette, with an individual design and character.   Lala salama – literally peaceful sleep, or sweet dreams – for the kids and the mums who share their beds during their stay.  And the Bethany kids team here in Kijabe have wholeheartedly approved the concept – and so now we can make this sweet dream a reality!

If you are a quilter and this resonates with you, we’d be so grateful for your participation in this project of hope.  Here are the specifications!

1. The theme for the wards is “Islands of Hope.” We want to create a feeling of comfort, encouragement and hope in the wards with these quilts.
2. Colors: The color palette is greens and taupes (see the sample below and paint chip details). Please stay away from reds, oranges and pinks. Teal can be used for accents as that is the theme in the common areas that are just outside of each of the wards (see the sample below). Whites should not be used as they may stain easily.
Our green palette is based on the following Benjamine Moore Colors:
Baby fern 2029-20
rosemary green 2029-30
stem green 2029-40
potpourri green 2029-50
pale vista 2029-60
frosty lime 2029-70

Subtle teal accents should be based on the following Sherwin Williams Colors:
Maxi teal SW 6769
Gulf stream SW 6768
Aquarium SW 6767
Mariner SW 6766
Spa SW 6765
Swimming SW 6764

3. Quilt Pattern: Any! This is to be a self expression, so please feel free to do what you please.
4. Fabric Prints: Please be sure not to use anything that may have bugs (even cartoon ones) or other such prints that may scare a child – remember, these are sick, often anxious children who may be far from home. Animals, birds, flowers and butterflies are all OK.
5. Pre Washing: Please pre wash the fabrics to prevent over shrinkage.
6. Fabric Material: Please use 100% cotton for the tops and backs. Fleece can also be used.
7. Batting: Please use 100% cotton as this is easiest to keep clean in a hospital setting. Pre washing is desired so that shrinkage is not an issue. These quilts will be washed a lot! And, it does get cold in Kijabe and there is no central heating.
8. Size: The quilts should be 150 – 165cm (60 – 65inches) by 200 – 210cm (79 – 83inches)
9. Label: Please include a label on the back that says who made it, where it was made and the date (at a minimum). You can also include a scripture or other encouragement.
10. Completion date: We would like to have the quilts by April of 2014. They can be sent by a variety of means. They can be mailed directly to Kijabe Hospital or can be mailed to the BKCC Boards in the United States, Canada or England. If not shipped directly to Kijabe, they will be delivered to someone traveling there soon to be hand carried (see addresses below).

Does that sound like something you’d want to be a part of?  If so, sign up at www.100quilts.blogspot.com 
You can follow all the progress at www.facebook.com/lalasalama100quilts or www.100quilts.blogspot.com – and please, upload pics of what you are doing to inspire us and everyone else who’s quilting!

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your time and passion for helping us help sick children. We are so excited to be able to tap into the skills of so many wonderful people to contribute to the beauty of this special place.

- M.

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You can read more about Bethany Kids at their website: http://www.bethanykids.org/ You can see the children’s center if you go to “Our Work” then scroll down to “BethanyKids Children’s Centre”.

Finished quilts can be sent to one of the following addresses (if at all possible, we’d prefer straight to Kenya):

Bethany Kids Children’s Center
100 Quilts Project
c/o Justus Marete
PO Box 61
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
(Please note: duty will be paid on the dollar amount given on the customs form. Please value each item at <$20 and in the description put “donated bedding”).

Bethany Kids USA
100 Quilts project
c/o Teresa Davis
PO Box 1297,
Abingdon, VA 24212-1297, USA

Bethany Kids Canada,
100 Quilts project
c/o Ivan Stewart
PO Box 1202,
Kingston, ON K7L 4Y8

Bethany Kids UK
100 Quilts project
c/o Colin Stewart
44a High Street,
Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1JG