New Zealand Woman Crochets Blankets for Friends During Pandemic

Kahuwaero Katene is 89-years-old, lives in Wellington, New Zealand, and has a heart for caring and service.  

During the COVID-19 lockdown, her daughter Kayleen, seeing that her mum needed more to do, went to her house, handed her some yarn and a crochet hook and said, “Mum, how about making something, you’ve got plenty of time!”  

Kahu hadn’t crocheted for years and didn’t think she could do it anymore, but replied, “I'll give it a go!”

It wasn’t easy in the beginning, as she had to relearn how to make the squares that went together to make a blanket.

“I couldn't get the squares straight so I would put it aside then pick it up and try again. ‘I’ve got to get this right,’ I would say to myself, and finally, I got it right.”

She thought about two dear friends she felt would love to receive a handmade blanket. Now she is making two simultaneously and will give them to her friends at the same time.

“I can't wait until the end of August. I should have these finished, I'll put them together with some goodies and take them to their homes.”

"Older people have a responsibility to lead the way in caring for others spiritually, physically, mentally, and really listening to them,” she says.

“Doing something for others is uplifting. It gives me satisfaction and makes me feel good about others."               

In the October 2019 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson said: “Latter-day Saints, as with other followers of Jesus Christ, are always looking for ways to help, to lift, and to love others. They who are willing to be called the Lord’s people ‘are willing to bear one another’s burdens, … to mourn with those that mourn; … and [to] comfort those that stand in need of comfort.’ They truly seek to live the first and second great commandments. When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle.”