An extra COVID-19

crew also significantly expanded – starting with five sewers and growing to “about 20” from Wairarapa and beyond.

“We’ve now got seven women from Wellington making dresses – they’d heard about us when they were here on holiday.

“A local woman made about 30 dresses, and wants to keep going because she enjoys it.”

Woodhams said Guterres plans to deliver some of the clothing to a Catholic women’s organisation in Dili [the capital city], where it will be distributed among local orphanages. The remainder will be delivered to children in remote rural areas.

Stitch4Kids plans to continue supporting Timor-Leste, making deliveries to the embassy “every six months”.

“In Timor-Leste, if you can’t feed and clothe your children, you take them down to the orphanage. And they stay there until you can afford to take them back,” Woodhams said.

“For some kids, these will be the first new clothes they’ve ever had.”

Is Now Available Is Now Available

If you’re over 30, or at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 you are now eligible for an additional booster.

You can get the vaccine if it’s been at least 6 months since your last booster or COVID-19 positive test. Help protect yourself and your whānau.

Book your booster now:

• visit BookMyVaccine.nz

• call Healthline on 0800 28 29 26, or

• contact your doctor, pharmacy or healthcare provider

Woodhams plans to organise monthly crafting sessions for exisiting Stitch4Kids members, and welcomes more local sewers to join.

• For more information, contact Annie Woodhams at stitch4kidsnz@gmail. com, or go to www. stitch4kids.nz