A grandmother with a huge heart has worked tirelessly over the last couple of months to finish a complex Middle Eastern style wall hanging in an attempt to show solidarity with refugees fleeing war torn Syria. Jane Caldwell who is 77 years old and lives in Cullybackey in Co Antrim has been spending over four hours each day to finish her decorative wall hanging which she is creating by sewing together patterned squares.
Stitch for Syria
Ms. Caldwell was a former lecturer of creative studies and says hopes her creation will remind Syrian women that they are supported in the difficulties they face. Ms. Caldwell said she accepted the challenge after learning about the “Stitch for Syria” campaign which is organised by humanitarian aid agency Concern Worldwide. Ms. Caldwell’s daughter Rose is the UK executive director for the agency.
Showing solidarity with refugees
Concern had invited individuals to take up the needle and thread in order to express their solidarity with a group of Syrian women who are in Lebanon and are using cross-stitch to earn critical income. The activity helps them deal with trauma they have faced as a result of having to flee the conflict. Concern had requested the public to make a section of a wall that hangs in Lebanon’s centre where the women meet. Hundreds of people have joined the effort and downloaded a six-centimetre square pattern. Based on Middle Eastern design. Once the project is complete the wall hangings will be delivered to Lebanon where they will be taken to a refugee centre.
“I’m really pleased with how it has turned out,” Jane said. “It has been amazing to see how creative people have been and how varied each design is. It is a privilege to have been able to put it all together.”
