We know from personal experience that the world is full of generous people eager to help those who need it most. People who believe in change and want to make the world a better place. But we also know that sometimes you don’t know what to do to make that help reach the right people, whom to direct it to, or where to focus it. There are so many things to fix and so many worthwhile projects that we can end up feeling stuck, not knowing where to add our little contribution. Today we want to introduce you to an idea we’ve loved because it’s about charitable crafting: the Kimo-Kap project.
Do you know what a kimo-kap is?
They’re headscarves used to cover the heads of children who, while battling cancer, have lost their hair. But it wouldn’t be fair to define them only that way: kimo-kaps are a beautiful way to be there for these children, so they don’t feel alone and know that many people care about them.
And how can a scarf say so many things?
Because kimo-kaps are the result of selfless donations. This means they aren’t bought ready-made; they’re made with all the love in the world by anonymous people who donate them to local chapters, which then distribute them in hospitals throughout each community. Today, one of those anonymous people can be you.
How can you help?
At Lulú Ferris, we wanted to support this wonderful initiative by making a tutorial so you can make one or several kimo-kaps with your own hands and send or deliver them to the appropriate chapter in your community. Many people are coordinating their efforts behind this project to make this network of donations and deliveries work, and you can even consider getting in touch with your nearest chapter to offer your help with organizational tasks if you want to get more involved.
What if sewing isn’t your thing?
You can still help, since instead of a finished kimo-kap, you can also make a fabric donation so someone else can sew it for you.
Is it worth it?
Maybe you think that a scarf doesn’t solve anything, that it won’t make childhood cancer disappear or magically cure the children who suffer from it. But if you think that way, there’s something you’re overlooking, and perhaps empathy can help us here. Imagine that you’re the one who gets sick. Imagine that you’re the one who loses your hair because of chemotherapy. Finally, imagine that you’re the one who receives a beautiful kimo-kap made by an anonymous person so you can look at yourself in the mirror with a smile again.
Do you still believe it’s an insignificant gesture?
We’re clear about it. That’s why our physical shop in Mataró is a drop-off point for donations of kimo-kaps or fabric. And that’s why we’ll be sending our donation too. So…
Let’s get to work! Here’s the super-easy tutorial for making a kimo-kap and, of course, in our shop you can choose the prettiest fabrics to make it yourself or donate them. We illustrated the post with some of the brightest and most colorful ones to fill the pediatric oncology wards with positive energy this summer.
Would you like more information, or would you like to know the address you should contact in your community to make your donation? Visit the Kimo-Kap website and don’t miss a thing.
Let’s make lots of kimo-kaps for these little warriors!
And above all, make sure there are no seams in the ribbon, since their skin is very delicate.