The past month here at James OCI we've seen a hive of activity with lots of comings and goings. So we thought we'd share with you what we've been up to.

Collecting
Calls from some of our knitters meant a few quick trips to various parts of the city to collect knitted goodies.  These pics are a sample of what we received ... there are more, but we couldn't fit them all in the shot!
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​We've also had a few more pre-loved items donated for us to sell on Trade-Me. Some have already been listed for sale (and sold), but we have more to list towards the end of November.

Packing & Posting
With all the knitting we've received we have enough to send 4 box-loads to the children.  Two boxes have already been sent, and we are planning to send two more in the next couple of weeks. Just in time for their winter! Donations towards the cost of posting a box are always gratefully received.

​We've also made some sales on Trade-Me from the donated goods ... it seems like we are now becoming firm friends with the Courier driver!

​Creating
With Christmas not far off, a few supporter ladies decided to make items to sell at a local craft market.  So a craft evening was organized to create Christmas Tree Ornaments and Peppermint Foot Soak.  We think these will make lovely gifts, and have the added value of helping an orphan.  Later this month there are plans to make candles and Reindeer Hot Chocolate drinks.  Watch this space as we hope these will also be available for purchase on our website in time for Christmas.

Chinese Wire Ornaments
​​We fell in love with these handmade Chinese Christmas wire ornaments.  Made by a lovely man who lives in the same village as the children, we felt these would make gorgeous decorations at Christmas time, and are a reminder of the children in need.  Each ornament captures the words of either Grace, Hope, Love, Family, Faith or Blessing.  The pic below is the ornament for Blessing.  These will be available for purchase at the craft markets we attend, but if you are interested in purchasing one (or the set of 6) then email us direct.

Enrich Gifts
Enrich Gifts is another gift-giving idea we have been working on the past month.  The finer details are almost complete, and we hope to launch by the end of November so watch this space!

  The success of our recent Garage Sale  was outstanding and can only be
described as  Wow!    So a rather huge
THANK YOU     
 to everyone for donating saleable goods or for purchasing fabulous pre-loved items. 

Including online sales, we have raised
close to $700
AND have enough goodies left over to hold another Garage Sale!  

All the funds raised will be donated towards a child's surgery, so watch this
space ​for updates. And we will let you know when we've scheduled the next Garage Sale.

Recently we hosted a Ladies Clothing Swap Nite in my home.  It was an intimate gathering with some lovely friends. Each lady arrived with gorgeous items from their own closets.  This ensured we had lots of lovely pre-loved clothes for each lady to choose from.

One of my friends decided to choose items to give to a cousin.  Below are some pics of Katie in her new outfit.  Doesn't she look fabulous!   

And a huge Thank You to my lovely friends who participated.  All funds raised on the night are being donated towards another orphan's surgery. And all left over items will be sold at our upcoming Garage Sales or via Trade-Me.  Click here to see wha'ts currently on sale in our Trade-me Account.