Two high school learners combined their creativity and compassion by learning to crochet warm, colourful beanies for local baby homes.
Kloof, South Africa (12 September 2025) – Learning a new skill is cool. To learn it driven by the motivation to make a real difference in the lives of others? Well, that’s truly extraordinary!
Two Grade 11 learners, Kayla Mahlknecht and Azwinndini Madima, took it upon themselves to lead a ‘Learn a New Skill’ group initiative at St Mary’s DSG Kloof as a creative way for the girls and staff to learn something new while giving back.
Their newfound skill? To learn how to crochet and use this skill to make the brightest and cosiest beanies to donate to local baby homes.
Kayla shared how their recently held crochet day, organised by the Human Library in support of ‘Beanies for Babies’, gave everyone the chance to learn how to crochet beanies for local baby homes.
“I love that these handmade beanies make the children and staff feel seen and loved,” Kayla said.
She recently delivered over 20 of these handcrafted beanies to Ingane Yami Children’s Village, where she is currently involved in her personal capacity.
Ingane Yami Children’s Village is a permanent, loving home for orphaned and vulnerable children located just outside of Durban, in the Shongweni Valley. Unlike a traditional orphanage, the Village consists of individual homes which each house six children and a carefully selected foster mother.
The school’s Grade 10 German exchange student, Sophia Wolfl, also joined in the crocheting goodness, playing her part in the worthy cause. Once she had her crochet needle and wool, she enthusiastically completed her first beanie in just one day!
It is so heartwarming to see young people’s willingness to learn and dedicate such effort to a worthy cause that directly helps innocent little ones, proving that even small stitches can lead to a big change and a whole lot of love.
“Thanks to the girls’ hard work, we now have another three bags full of beanies ready to deliver to local baby homes. Watch this space,” St Mary’s said.
Sources: St Mary’s DSG Kloof
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