Our special thanks to Rika Kranenborg and all the women at First CRC Red Deer who knitted more than 70 scarves plus hats, mitts, and socks for orphan children at our partner orphanages in Wonsan. The knitted items will be delivered to children just in time to help keep them warm during the freezing winter months. May God bless you all for your kindness!

Please contact First Steps by phone or e-mail you would like to participate either by knitting or by donating to purchase yarns.

Phone: 604-732-0195
e-mail: info@firststepscanada.org

A First Steps team returned from North Korea on Tuesday, March 1 – and for the first time in a decade of working there, we find it imperative to make an emergency appeal due to acute malnutrition and worsening food shortages.  

Our five-person team traveled to South Pyongan and Kangwon Provinces from Feb. 22 – March 1. We visited 21 sites including clinics, orphanages, kindergartens and daycares, as well as soymilk production facilities.

North Korean government officials told us that there have been severe food shortages following summer floods and harsh winter conditions that seriously damaged winter crops. Kangwon provincial authorities estimated that 80 – 90% of the wheat and barley planted for spring harvest, as well as potato seedlings and vegetable crops, were killed by extreme cold.

At each of the sites visited, the team found soybean supplies to last only a few days. Provincial and county officials advised that government food stocks would run out in one-to-two months, depending on the county. The orphanages that First Steps supports have already run out or will run out of beans in days and won’t be able to further access government beans due to low stocks. 

The food shortages most severely impact young children, and pregnant and nursing mothers, the vulnerable groups that First Steps targets. In response to the desperate need, First Steps is seeking to raise funds to urgently send 700 metric tonnes of soybeans.

Will you consider making a special donation to help send soybeans? Soybeans currently cost $750 per metric tonne. To expedite your donation, you can donate online at http://www2.firststepscanada.org/lang/en-us/contribute/

A regular First Steps newsletter with information on our recent visit will be mailed in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to call us at 604-732-0195 if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Susan Ritchie
First Steps

Day Ten

It’s been 10 days already since the Warm Scarves for Cold Children in North Korea Project began. Up to date, we are happy to report that 473 scarves have been completed, almost half-way to reach our goal!
Today, nine volunteers came to the Vancouver branch to join us. The coordinator said that most of these volunteers make it to every meeting hoping to knit as many scarves as they can. We will continue to knit tomorrow, Dec 15, at Sharons Credit Union in Surrey, 10541 King George Hwy. Please join us if you can.
Special thanks to Sharons Credit Union, the knitters, and the knitting teachers Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Kang.

Day Six

The Warm Scarves for Cold Children in North Korea Project continued today at Sharons Credit Union in Surrey. There were ten volunteers and seven scarves were complete by the end of the meeting. We will continue to knit tomorrow, at Sharons Credit Union in Vancouver (1055 Kingsway, Vancouver). If you have any questions or would like to join the project, please contact us at 604-732-0195 (Mon – Fri 9-5pm).

Day Five

Ten volunteers joined us today at Vancouver branch. We witnessed knitters having a wonderful time together today, their age ranging from 20s to 70s, coming together as one. They had some great discussions about the health conditions of North Korean children and the cold winter in North Korea. Knitters today also completed five scarves at the meeting. We are thankful to report that to date, approximately 250 scarves have been knitted. We are a quarter way done, and we look forward to the day that we send 1,000 scarves to North Korea.

Day Four

There were three knitters on Saturday and one said that she enjoyed knitting so much that she felt like time just flew by. Some other knitters have said that they have found knitting addictive.
Today (Monday, Dec 6) the wool we ordered finally arrived, and we are very excited to continue our project in the hope that more volunteers will join us.
Again, we thank Sharons Credit Union and the knitting volunteers for their ongoing support.

Day Three

Today, nine volunteers joined with us at Sharons Credit Union in Surrey. Many of the volunteers are experienced in knitting and were happy to be knitting scarves that will be donated to orphans in North Korea. Tomorrow, Saturday December 4, we will gather at the Vancouver branch of Sharons Credit Union on 1055 Kingsway. Please join us if you can.

Day Two

The Warm Scarves for Cold Children in North Korea Project continued today with eight volunteers gathering at Sharons Credit Union in Vancouver. We will continue to knit tomorrow, Dec 3, at Sharons Credit Union in Surrey, 10541 King George Hwy.
Thanks to Sharons Credit Union for generously providing materials and lunch to the knitters.
If you have any questions or would like to join the project, please contact us at 604-732-0195 (Mon – Fri 9-5pm)

Day One

The Warm Scarves for Cold Children in North Korea Project officially began today at Sharons Credit Union in Surrey. Seven people kindly volunteered their time today. We are happy to report that to date, approximately 200 scarves have been knitted by various church groups and First Steps volunteers. On Thursday, December 2nd, we will meet at Sharons Credit Union in Vancouver (1055 Kingsway, Vancouver). Special thanks to everyone who has participated so far.