Innovative Kazakh Initiative Warmly Nurtures Preterm Infants, Eliciting Global Adoration
A Tale of Warmth and Compassion: The 28 Loops Public Foundation
In the heart of Kazakhstan, a remarkable mission unfolds. Over a decade ago, the 28 Loops Public Foundation was born, dedicating its efforts to helping premature newborns thrive. This grassroots initiative, now a global movement, provides handknitted woolen garments to these fragile infants, offering them warmth and conserving their energy for survival.
The brainchild of photographer, journalist, and founder, Karla Nur, the foundation has expanded to 150 branches, with over 6,000 active volunteers. With humble beginnings in 2012, the project has donated over 400,000 knitted items to date.
Volunteers, drawn by a shared mission, are expected to adhere to certain guidelines. Quarterly deliveries, according to regional birth rates, are mandatory, along with regular meetings. Selling donated items is strictly prohibited, and all products must be made from 100% wool. Every branch should also document their progress on social media platforms, primarily Instagram.
Explaining the success of the project, Karla shares that its minimal resource requirements make it accessible to anyone, regardless of age. Even men participate in this heartwarming endeavor, and beginners can learn the art of knitting through the club. When asked about her initial struggle, Karla recalls her first attempt at knitting a sock, which turned out more like a triangle.
A Symphony of Comfort
Each set consists of a blanket, a vest, socks, a cap, and a unique octopus-shaped toy. These toys serve a purpose beyond comfort, mimicking the mother's umbilical cord, helping to soothe newborns and prevent them from pulling out medical sensors. Joining the club requiresknitting needles and yarn, as the foundation is self-funded, with costs covered by members themselves.
Despite the challenges, Karla dreams of sourcing yarn from Kazakhstan instead of importing it from other countries. Unfortunately, local production does not exist as yet.
Beyond Babies: Transforming Lives
For parents of premature babies, the knitted sets offer more than just warmth. They provide emotional and medical support, as shared by countless heartwarming stories. Premature babies often battle thermoregulation disorders, and these sets play a crucial role in keeping them warm from the first moments.
Karla recalls tales of grateful mothers who found comfort in seeing their babies swaddled in the knitted items, watching the caps grow to fit perfectly over time, symbolizing their baby's growth. These stories underscore the far-reaching impact of the project, extending beyond helping babies and their mothers.
Impact that Touches the Heart
As volunteering for the foundation touches the lives of countless premature babies and their families, it also transcends to change the lives of its volunteers. Stories of resilience, such as the mother who found new purpose following the loss of her husband, and the stroke survivor, Violetta Nikolaevna, who regained her strength through knitting, testify to the profound impact the foundation has on its volunteers.
Inspired by the 28 Loops Public Foundation, similar initiatives now operate in Kazakhstan. The heartwarming ripple effect continues to spread, fostering a culture of compassion and support.
Despite the challenges, Karla appreciates the support the foundation receives in Kazakhstan, citing lenient documentation and tax requirements, and highlighting the importance of visibility to reach more people and encourage participation.
- The 28 Loops Public Foundation, based in Kazakhstan, strives to help premature infants through volunteerism, providing handknitted woolen garments.
- Founded over a decade ago, the foundation has expanded to 150 branches globally, with over 6,000 active volunteers.
- Quarterly deliveries, according to regional birth rates, and regular meetings are mandatory for volunteers.
- The project produces over 400,000 knitted items to date, despite its humble beginnings in 2012.
- Guidelines prohibit the selling of donated items, and all products must be made from 100% wool.
- Every branch documents their progress on social media platforms, primarily Instagram.
- This project's minimal resource requirements make it accessible for anyone, including men and beginners.
- Each knitted set includes a blanket, vest, socks, cap, and an octopus-shaped toy.
- These toys serve to soothe newborns, mimicking the mother's umbilical cord, and prevent them from pulling out medical sensors.
- The foundation encourages new members to invest in knitting needles and yarn as it is self-funded.
- Karla Nur, the founder, dreams of sourcing yarn from Kazakhstan instead of importing it.
- At present, local production does not exist, making imports necessary.
- Each set provides emotional and medical support to parents of premature babies.
- The garments help premature babies battling thermoregulation disorders, ensuring warmth from the first moments.
- Heartwarming stories reveal the profound impact the project has on mothers, who find comfort in the knitted items.
- Caps that grow to fit perfectly over time symbolize the baby's growth, offering hope and encouragement.
- Similar initiatives now operate in Kazakhstan, echoing the foundation's mission.
- The heartwarming ripple effect fosters a culture of compassion and support.
- Beyond infant care, the foundation changes the lives of its volunteers.
- Stories of resilience, such as the mother who regained purpose after her husband's loss, highlight the transformation.
- The stroke survivor, Violetta Nikolaevna, found new strength through knitting, demonstrating the profound impact.
- Karla appreciates the support the foundation receives in Kazakhstan, citing lenient documentation and tax requirements.
- The foundation's visibility helps reach more people and inspire participation.
- The project offers a sense of camaraderie and purpose in the workplace, contributing to workplace-wellness.
- The manual process of knitting benefits those dealing with medical conditions such as cancer, respiratory or digestive health, eye-health, hearing impairments, and autoimmune disorders.
- Mental-health conditions also find solace in the therapeutic activity of knitting, with the project embracing fitness-and-exercise and sexual-health aspects.
- Frequent health checks ensure the safety of knitted items for newborns, incorporating medical-conditions research into the project's mission.
- The foundation's discourse on health-and-wellness extends to topics like nutrition, aging, and women's health, including empowering parenting advice.
- In addition, conversations on men's health, skin-care, therapies-and-treatments, and environmental-science are integral parts of the project.
- With the foundation acting as an integral part of the community, countless families benefit from the kindness of the volunteers.
- Entrepreneurship thrives among the volunteers, who apply their skills in retail, finance, energy, and real-estate businesses.
- The power of the 28 Loops Public Foundation ripples beyond Kazakhstan, touching lives and communities everywhere.
