– I think it makes sense. After all, you become a bit despondent, and don’t have much to contribute. That’s what Jorun Husdal says. She is one of over 100 volunteers who knit and sell self-made mittens with Palestinian colors to raise money for the war effort in Gaza. – I don’t have much money either, but I can knit. Husdal was on sick leave last year, and says it has been difficult to find something to do that makes sense. – When you are ill, you may not be able to do much, but my hands still work, she says. It was a friend who tipped her off about the project “Selbuvotter for peace” in March this year, and since then she has knitted and sold over 50 pairs. Inspired by demonstration It is Iffit Sætre Qureshi who is behind the project. She started in December last year after attending a demonstration against the war in Gaza. – There I saw someone with seal mittens in two different colours, and then I suddenly thought: You know what, maybe I could have made a pair in the Palestinian colours. Iffit Sætre Qureshi is behind the project. Photo: private Qureshi is a fairly experienced knitter, but she didn’t have much experience with mittens in particular. She says she was aware that seal mitts in particular can be quite difficult to obtain. – But I tried and I knitted the ugliest mittens ever. I posted it on social media and asked if anyone would buy them if they donated the money to an aid organization in Gaza, she says and continues: – Suddenly there were 40 orders. A lot has happened since then, and over 100 people across the country are now contributing gloves. Soon they have arranged for donations of half a million kroner. Sonia from Oslo has knitted 43 pairs of mittens.Gine E. Støren from Oslo.Merete Solberg from Elverum.Sølvi Fedog from Skien has knitted over 15 pairs.Kari Mette Monsen from Oslo.Maj-Britt Holljen.Haldis Kismul from Steinkjer.Gunnhild Tjåland. To get the mittens, customers must do two things. One is to tip a sum to the knitter to cover the costs of the yarn. In addition, you must send NOK 600 to a charity that is in Gaza. – They donate directly, so no money comes to us, says Qureshi. She has selected a list of aid organizations that she believes do a good job in Gaza and do not use too much of the money for administration. Decisive with contributions from individuals One of the organizations that has received support via “Selbuvotter for fred” is Doctors Without Borders. Secretary-General Lindis Hurum makes no secret of the fact that she really appreciates it. – I never thought that there could be so much hope in a pair of mittens, she says. Lindis Hurum in Doctors Without Borders. Photo: Emma-Marie B. Whittaker / news Doctors Without Borders believes this is a very good example of what individuals can achieve. – When enough people come together to do something and want to contribute, it makes a difference. Hurum says it is absolutely crucial for organizations like them that individuals contribute. – A vaccine or a wound treatment is not particularly expensive, so we get a lot done for quite a bit. Important history Jorun Husdal in Oslo says she gets a feeling of powerlessness when she sees news from the Middle East, and then it feels good to be able to do something. – When you can’t donate money or go down there, you can sit at home and knit mittens, which also creates awareness around the world. When people see these mittens, perhaps especially the colors, it creates a curiosity. Both Husdal, initiative starter Qureshi and Lindis Hurum in Doctors Without Borders agree that the mittens help create awareness about the situation in Gaza. – Then the story of the Palestinians comes to light. It is a story that will continue. Maybe children and grandchildren in the future will say that these mittens were bought by my mother in protest against the genocide taking place in Gaza, concludes Qureshi. Published 27.10.2024, at 07.50
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