QUICK LINK: FAQs about making your dolls.
QUICK LINK: Volunteer Form (must fill this out to get the knit pattern)
QUICK LINK: Status updates on this project.
QUICK LINK: Doll gallery!!
QUICK LINK: Crochet Option 1 and Option 2.
QUICK LINK: Cloth Doll Pattern
After reading about the Ugandan orphans being taken care of by Amazima Ministries (started and run by 20 year old Katie), I wanted to help.
I contacted Amazima and told them my ideas about making dolls for the children. They were so gracious and thought it was a wonderful idea…the trick is…Katie has a policy that what she gives to one child, she gives to them all! At present, Amazima ministries is caring for over 300 children and they are adding more every day! She thinks they’d need at least 350!
Daunting task, but not impossible. So I’m rallying the troops. 
I can sew my little fingers off, but I still have a day-job plus my son, so there’s no way I can do it alone. People have been so generous after my initial inquiries that I have no doubt we can do it as a group.
So here are the details:
1) The goal is at least 350 dolls to be delivered to the Ugandan orphans by Christmas 2009.
2) The most reliable mode of shipping is apparently to send them along with someone already travelling there. Gwen at Amazima knows of one group leaving in October to work with Katie for a while and her own family is going before Christmas to bring home their two new family members. So to make sure they get to me, then TN, then on a plane to Uganda, please have the last dolls in the mail to me by October 1, 2009 (give or take a day).
3) If you’re interested in participating in the project, please fill out the volunteer form. The goal number of dolls is an estimate…but it will really help me to know where we stand. Even one or two dolls is greatly appreciated!!! And who knows, you might think you’ll make just one, and really enjoy it and make several more!
4) Pattern information is below. Use your creativity! Put love into it. Think about what the little ones around you would like—kids are kids no matter where they live!
That’s it! Thank you thank you thank you for taking time to do this!
And, in case you missed the link earlier…click here for the infamous Volunteer Form.
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Making your dolls:
PLEASE USE THESE PATTERNS FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE ONLY–THEY ARE NOT TO BE USED TO MAKE DOLLS FOR SALE. If you stumble onto this site and wish to make one for personal use, please consider making an extra and donating it a child in need. There are many groups with on-going international projects like this, plus local shelters, hospitals, even just a child you know that needs a little extra comfort.
For purposes of this project, we have two options, knit or sewn cloth doll. UPDATE: We now have two options for crocheters: Option 1.
Option 2.
It’s now an equal opportunity project!!!
The knit pattern has been generously donated for our use by Dragonfly’s Hollow (check out her shop!!). Since it is a commercialy available pattern that she has on her etsy site, we are only able to have it for this limited project. If you plan to make knit dolls, please fill out the volunteer form to have the pdf file emailed to you.
Click here to link to the cloth doll pattern and tutorial for the brand new Amazima Doll! (I’ve never got to name a pattern before!)
REMINDER: Please use washable materials and brown yarn or fabric for the skin. Thank you!
This page has the following sub pages.
[...] Amazima Dolls [...]
This is a wonderful project. I can’t wait to get started! Let me know if I can help spread the word. I would contact Soule Mama, since I know she did a project with handmade hats recently that was very successful. Maybe she has some advice.
- Kari
(from mdcetsy yahoo group)
Thanks! I will!
[...] Amazima Dolls [...]
What a wonderful idea – I’ll happily make some.
Thank you!!
Please let me know if you have any questions or problems!! 
I have finished my first Amazina doll
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8303850@N04/#photo3564230808
A boy doll next. I love the little sleeves on your new dolls, Shannon.
is it ok to sew a colourful button or two securely to the dress/top?
Hi Alice. I’ve been thinking about that because I thought that buttons might make cute eyes. I think as long as we’ve got plenty of options with no buttons (and we should) we should be fine to use buttons on some of the dolls. Thank you for asking!!
Oh WOW … thank you SO much for blessing Katie and her kids in this way. What an incredible idea…I’m going to post a link to this on my blog right away! You made my day
I love Katie and Amazima Ministries the work they do challenge me everyday in my walk with christ and life in general. What 20 yr old that I know would even “babysit” 13 kids let alone be a mom to them, and oh, by the way feed 350! Crazy! Beautiful!
Thank you for this passion, the dolls are lovely! I would buy one, that could maybe be your next project
Love this idea, I am not crafty but i will pass along to those that are.
Thanks!
Jen
ok i may be able to do the knit one. i just have to check into timing since i’m doing a project for a magazine and then we move cross country. eek!
Thanks Nicole! If it helps, the deadline isn’t until October.
[...] set on making a doll? I have recently learned of another opportunity to make dolls for children. Just Stuff is collecting dolls to send to orphaned children in Uganda via Amazima Ministries. Their goal is to [...]
[...] [...]
Question: Can I use another pattern to sew it? I have a pattern I’ve used several times and know fairly well, so can I use that one instead?
Sure…just try to keep it in the 10-12 inch range, washable, and brown skin. Those are the only real requirements.
Thank you!!
HI, I would love to interview you for a tele-summit on inspired livelihood, entrepreneurs who are making a difference. Please contact me with your email address so that I may send you more details. Thanks, Terri
r u races y do they have to be black
If you’re making them for this project, then yes please. The point of this project is to provide the kids with a special doll that looks a bit like them.
I would contact Craft Hope. They just recently did a similar project, with amazing results! They could probably rally an amazing response for Amazima! http://www.crafthope.com
Thank you for the idea Molly! I’ll keep that in mind for future projects. In this particular instance, we have a modest goal — though not something I could do on my own! And just word of mouth on the web between crafters and etsy sellers has been wonderful! Based on the pledges we should have close to 600 dolls.
The extras will be wonderful to provide the children that have signed up with Amazima over the year and and a local orphanage or two. Too many more, and we may overwhelm the staff with the task of transporting them to Uganda. In order to ensure arrival at the proper destination, the Amazima staff intend to send these dolls over with volunteer groups when they fly. This way they’ll all get there and be personally delivered with no concern about getting lost in the post.
Thank you very much for your interest in this project and I will definitely check out Craft Hope in the future!!
[...] more info on the project, go to her site, Amazima Dolls Project to learn more and to fill out her volunteer form to make a promise to make a doll! She offers free [...]