Joan Knits 4,000 Jumpers for Babies in South Africa

Answering an advertisement more than 15 years ago entitled ‘Knitters Alert,’ 86-year-old Joan Barty of Loxton set out on a mission. It was no ordinary request for help; this was an urgent call to knit jumpers for newborn babies in South Africa who had been born with AIDS.

For the past 15 years, Mrs Joan Barty, who is supported to live independently in her own home by Resthaven Riverland Community Services, has knitted six jumpers per week. This amounts to more than 4,600 jumpers! 

Resthaven Riverland Community Services Coordinator, Jodi Smith, says, "Before this program, these babies were sometimes sent home wrapped up in newspaper."

"The jumpers replace the newspaper and provide the newborn babies with both comfort and warmth."

"Once Joan has knitted the jumpers, she drops them to her local Rotary Club, who post them to South African communities in need."

"Joan sources all her own wool, and has become very savvy at repurposing old woollen jumpers and blankets by unpicking them and making the small jumpers out of the recycled wool – how’s that for upcycling!"

Joan says that she "enjoys keeping busy by knitting," and "feels good about being able to knit for such a worthy purpose."

Jodi says, "If you are interested in joining the cause, we encourage you to contact your local Rotary Club."

"Resthaven is involved in many community partnerships, both in Australia and abroad."

Resthaven community services support older people like Joan to live independently in their own homes throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast.

Resthaven residential aged care homes are located at Aberfoyle Park, Bellevue Heights, Craigmore, Leabrook, Malvern, Marion, Mitcham, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Paradise, Port Elliot and Westbourne Park.