2004 – Uthando Project Is Born
In 2004 Dr Julie Stone spent a three month sabbatical in the Hlabisa District of KwaZulu Natal. As an infant, child and family psychiatrist Julie was moved by the plight of children in KZN whose lives were so severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping South Africa.
Play was not seen as a priority in the busy difficult lives of carers and ther were few resources to encourage and stimulate the social and emotional development of the children. On return to Perth, Julie set about recruiting friends to provide simple, brown skinned dolls to send for carers of children in KZN to engage in meaningful communication through play.
Uthando Project was born and the continuing quest for dolls was coordinated by Gooseberry Hill artist, Georgia Efford. Georgia’s home became the headquarters for many years, and every Friday was a hive of activity where dolls were made as well as being received from many points of Australia.