Fifty women from the Fiji Island of Taveuni recently made and then donated to the island’s hospital 29 quilts for newborn babies as part of a community service effort hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The project was organized by two Latter-day Saint women, Frances Piquemal and Jenni Steventon, of Sydney, Australia. The women held fundraising events and received donated items to be used for the quilting project.
While taking part in the project the Taveuni women’s group learnt how to make potholders, handbags, cell phone-holders, table cloths and quilts.
On 10 November 2012 the group held its first quilt show for group members’ families, friends and the community. The centrepiece of the event was a large friendship quilt which was sewn and signed jointly by all of the participants.
Torika Rabuka, one of the participants, said: “This is like a dream come true. I never thought I would have the opportunity to learn quilting.”
The women hope to further the art of patchwork and quilting in Fiji.
Latter-day Saints place strong emphases on self-improvement and community service.
