Sizabantwana PS dolls

In and around Pietermaritzburg, staff from 47 primary schools meet regularly for mutual self help with a facilitator from the University of KwaZulu Natal’s Psychology Department. This support has been immensely helpful in supporting each other through the constant personal and classroom trials and tribulations caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Staff can assist with recommending referrals for students in need of professional, family or community help.

This group of primary schools is named Sizabantwana. Uthando dolls made by school students all over the world are distributed at these meetings.

Primary School students made their own small dolls

School Doll-making Projects

Dolls for the Sizabantwana primary schools often come from school doll making projects. Throughout Australia, and some schools in the USA and UK, school students take on the creative work of making a doll to be given away to a child they may never meet.

Students (preferably 10 years and over), learn how to sew! This is quite a revolution. And, after weeks of work, they say goodbye to their doll for the next part of its journey which may change a child’s life.

School dolls are often sewn from a handy Uthando dollmaking kit ($5 each). There is a real need for supporting adults/parents/friends in the classroom, to help students produce sturdy dolls where the hair stays on and without recourse to unreliable glue or paint.

Dolls made by a child for a child are often very creative in fashion and use of fabrics….delightful.

Teachers intending to take on this wonderful classroom project are encouraged to explore our website section for teachers and to talk with Schools Coordinator, Lynne Tognolini, to evade pitfalls and maximise opportunities: [email protected]