From scrap fabric to a warm little horse for children
At Herstel Hub Textiel, colourful scraps were given a new purpose: small cuddly horses filled with rice grains, designed as a source of warmth and support for children. Sara and the volunteers from MAAKbar vzw made them for vzw Ankerpunt.
On 6 August, large boxes of scrap fabric stood throughout Herstel Hub Textiel. Sara, coordinator of the Herstel Hub Textiel run by partner organisation MAAKbar vzw, tested the colourful pieces one by one with a lighter.
The test showed which fabrics were suitable for the horses. Fabrics that simply burned in the flame, such as 100% wool or pure cotton, could be used. Fabrics that charred or melted might contain plastic and were not safe for a cuddly toy that is heated in the microwave.
Using the suitable scraps, the volunteers at Herstel Hub Textiel made small cuddly horses. Each horse contains rice grains. These can be heated in the microwave, allowing the horse to serve as a small source of warmth and support.
The horses are intended for children who struggle at school because of learning difficulties, but cannot immediately find suitable guidance or support. Vzw Ankerpunt provides them with tutoring and support when there is no specific diagnosis yet or when waiting lists prevent them from seeing a child psychologist straight away.
The horses tie in with a children's book by vzw Ankerpunt in which a little horse is the main character. They are sold to support the organisation's work. By sorting and testing the fabrics first, scraps from Herstel Hub Textiel were given a new purpose.
A reused piece of fabric carries its own history and story, which gives the new item twice as much value.
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