Women in Switzerland Sew for Ukraine

For years, women of the Adventist congregation in Oertlimatt, Krattigen in Switzerland have been involved in a handicraft get-together called Creativ Treff. There they sew for orphans in less well-off countries, such as Moldavia. They make backpacks and toilet bags or even multi-purpose bags. These are packed into more than 100 Christmas packages for orphans, which are filled with many other things as well. The older women in the community also knit countless hats and matching scarves for these packages, as well as socks and other useful items.
Since the beginning of the war that is raging in Ukraine, the work is being directed mainly toward this country. Four times a year there is a big market in Interlaken, where ADRA also has a stand. Cakes, bread, and handicrafts are sold there. The proceeds go to current projects, at the moment it is mainly the aid for Ukraine.
Since two families from Ukraine are housed in our community, this time these women and young girls also helped to make backpacks. Kateryna, a 21-year-old woman, had no experience in operating a sewing machine. She said it was like driving a car, just step on the gas and go! It was like a first driving lesson for her. We are already looking forward to the next driving lesson with her. There was a lot of laughter. During the conversation with the help of Google Translator sometimes funny sentences resulted which provided for a lot of fun.
We hope that the war will end soon so that all women and children can return to their homeland. We hope that many of them will find their homes intact when they return and that they will have the strength to help rebuild their destroyed country.
Reported by Denise Hochstrasser, Krattigen CH