Response from South Africa

E-mail 4/5/03 from Franci Hannaway, Unit Commander of the Child Protection Unit, Port Shepstone:    

"We were really delighted to receive the lovely knitted teddy bears....On behalf of my staff and the children of our country I want to thank each and everyone of you ladies for all the hard work to first knit and then send these adorable teddies half way around the world for abused children from our country.  God blesses each and everyone of you."

E-mail 6/28/03 from Franci Hannaway:    

"The way the faces of the children light up when receiving a teddy bear is something a person can treasure for life.  They love your teddy bears, hold them tight to their tiny little chests, hug and kiss them.  Please convey their and my gratitude to all the knitters."

E-mail 1/16/04 from Kevin Winge, Zwane Community Center:    

"Everyone who receives these bears have been delighted - parents just as much as children.  It's a wonderful way to meet people, develop trust and start to create relationships.  The impact a teddy bear can have should not be underestimated."

E-mail 10/19/07 from Phil Lilienthal, Global Camps Africa

"Thanks for your marvelous support.  At camp where we want to make sure that the children are coming to camp for the values we give and not for material things, your bears are the only material thing we give them, other than a t-shirt and a hat.  They are, as you know, not seen only as dolls or toys, but provide a spirituality and warmth that the children are too often missing in their lives at home.  Although we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you, we see you as our partner in providing warmth, security and love to the 400 girls who go through our program each year."

See articles from South African Newspaper on donations from USA and Mother Bear Project.