My baby is growing up. It’s true… he’s almost in the double digits, and every day that goes by he’s entering into some of the most impressionable years of his life. This summer he has a pretty big trip coming up. He will be heading to Tanzania with his dad and uncle, and a team of high school students to visit a community there. It’s pretty neat because my mom will also be joining on this trip.
I want to share a little back story about my crafty, creative, sweet boy. He’s been sewing since he was about 3. He started out doing simple embroidery and making little pillows. When he was in grade 2 I put him in sewing lessons- so he could learn to use a sewing machine. Seeing as I homeschool him, I figured I didn’t need to teach him everything! I didn’t think much would come of it, but he made a back pack, a sleep shirt with interfacing, and a pair of pants! I honestly was so impressed, and amazed at how capable a seven year old could be with a pattern and sewing machine. As his teacher put it “he really has a passion for sewing.”
When this opportunity came up for E to go on this trip, Matt and I talked about it. I felt like he was at a good age… though it was a stretch for me to accept sending my baby across the ocean to a place I have never been! I know he is in great hands with his dad, but it is always hard for me to be away from my kids. I talked with Elijah about what he could do to connect with the community, and learn more about where he was going. We came up with the idea to raise money for something that could afford the kids and community there an opportunity…
So dream elephants were born. Elijah has been sewing and selling these little stuffed elephants over the last few weeks, and all of the funds raised will go to purchasing sewing machines and supplies for the community he is visiting in Tanzania. He is so excited and thrilled. I made a post on my instagram account, and he had multiple orders right away. He was so thrilled and sewed for three days straight. He said to me “mom this is the best project ever, because I love sewing!!” (for our local friends we have elephants coming your way!)
He makes the elephants from start to finish. When I have my hands free I’ll cut pieces or stitch them up once they’re stuffed. Gabe and Fin help with stuffing. We’ve had a lot of fun so far. He’s using recycled denim, and was gifted some fun colorful fabrics as well- so he’s been using them on the ears now and again.
To make it easy for people to support this project- we set up a gofund me. He has been taking cash or e-transfers, but this just makes it super simple. So, if you’d like to support him, in supporting this community, he would be thrilled and so grateful!
You can visit the gofund me page here. So proud of this guy! Little people can do big things.
-Miss Ash