Knitting for AIDS Orphans

Kid Power! Kids can make a difference! Every Thursday on Ink Splot 26, we'll show you a new idea for how YOU can make the world a better place.

You may have heard of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. It is such a tragedy especially because so many parents are dying of AIDS and leaving their children with no one to take care of them. It is estimated that there are 14.8 million orphans in sub-saharan Africa. 1.9 million live in South Africa. So many sweet, innocent babies with no parents! It makes me sad to think about them.

There may not be anything we can do to stop the spread of AIDS, but there is something we can do for the children: knit for them. KASCare is an organization in South Africa that collects knitted squares and sews them up into blankets for the orphans. You might not think it gets cold in South Africa, but it does! I was there for the World Cup in 2010, and the temperature got down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit at night. I wore a hat and mittens every night. And remember, these children don't have heaters. A blanket would be a very nice gift for them. Not only will it keep them warm, but it will let them know that someone in the world cares about them.

• What
  Knit one 8" square, and then knit another one, and another one . . . You don't have to make the whole blanket. KASCare will put all the squares together for you. But you can send as many squares as you can make.
• How
  If you don't know how to knit, the best way to learn is to have someone teach you in person. Here is a how to knit tutorial to get you started, but try to find an experienced knitter to help you.
• Where
  Mail your finished squares to this address in South Africa:
  Knit a Square Soweto Comfort Club
  Private Bag X900
  Bryanston 2021
  South Africa
• When
  Anytime. Right now!

 

Think how cool it would be to get a whole group of people all knitting squares. Talk it up and start a knitting club at your church or Scout troop. Ask your principal if you can start a club at school where kids knit during recess or after school. Knitting is really fun, AND you will be doing something to make the world a better place!

Leave a Comment and let us know if you are a knitter, and if you are inspired to help the AIDS orphans.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

One Direction Interview

Introducing British Boy Band ONE DIRECTION!!!

Even though they are huge in England, a lot of people in the U.S. don't know about this British band yet. But you should because they are awesome! They are currently touring with Big Time Rush; their debut album will be released here on March 13, their single "What Makes You Beautiful" made it to the iTunes top 10; and they will be appearing on an episode of iCarly sometime during the fifth season.

And they are not bad to look at, either. Here they are in order from left to right: Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne.

Our Scholastic interviewer Marie Morreale chatted with the guys over the phone about their experience as mega-superstars in England. Find out about their embarrassing pranks on each other, which one of them farts the most, and what they love about Americans. Whether you have never heard of them, or you already have One Direction infection, read on because this interview is hilarious!

Storm Runners Sneak Peek!

Action! Adventure! Survival!

In Book #1 of the Storm Runners series by Roland Smith, Chase and his friends Nicole and Rashawn have just survived Hurricane Emily, the storm of the century, but in Book #2: The Surge, their troubles are just beginning. If you love action and adventure, you won't want to miss this sequel.

Although they've made it to the safety of Nicole's family's farm -- the winter home of the Rossi Brothers' Circus -- the floodwaters are rising and they need to reach higher ground. The circus's lions have escaped their cages, and a dangerous and unpredictable leopard is also on the loose. Have Chase and his friends lived through a terrifying night only to face a new disaster? Read the first chapter of Book #2: The Surge.

AND . . .  Book #3: Eruption is coming out on March 1. Read a Sneak Peek!

Leave a Comment to tell us what you think. Personally, I am very happy to be safe and dry!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Valentine's Day Would You Rather?

Valentine's Day Would You Rather?

Howdy, Splotters! Watch out for Cupid's arrow, because Valentine's Day is here. To get you in the mood, I came up with some Valentine's Day Would You Rather questions. So whether you live for Valentine's Day, or you hate it more than the world's most impossible math test, let's see if you LOVE our questions below!

Would you rather. . .

1. Get tons of candy OR tons of love letters?
2. Have to marry Barney the purple dinosaur OR Darth Vader from Star Wars?
3. Wear red to celebrate Valentine’s Day OR black to protest it?
4. Get kissed by Dobby the house elf OR a dementor (if he promises not to suck your soul out?)
5. Get a dozen roses OR a dozen donuts from DD?
6. Fall in love with a vampire OR a werewolf?
7. Have Justin Bieber sing you a love song OR Twisted Sister?
8. Have your mom send you a singing “I Love You” telegram to your school so everyone hears? OR have your principal announce who your crush is over the loudspeaker?
9. Get married when you’re 25 years old OR 35 years old?
10. Have a love potion that could make anyone fall in love with you OR have the ability to get straight A's forever without studying?

Leave your answers in the Comments below! And remember, all Valentine candy is usually 50% off on Feb. 15th so you can stock up on your favorites then! Until next time.

— Ratha, STACKS Writer

Spy Kids & Phineas and Ferb Writing Prompt

Write On! Invention vs. Secret Spy

This week's Write On! Writing Prompt comes to us from Andrea who tells us:
My writing prompt ideas were inspired by Disney's Phineas and Ferb and the Spy Kids movies.

If you've ever watched Phineas and Ferb, then you know that Phineas and Ferb build outrageous inventions every day. If you could hang out with them for a day, what out-of-this-world invention would you build? Be sure to include loads of details!

Pretend you find out your parents belong to a secret organization of spies and they were in danger. How would you feel? Amazed? Shocked? Or maybe even scared? Also, tell about your adventure as you try to save your parents with the help of various spy gadgets!

I hope everyone enjoys my writing prompts!

Thanks, Andrea! I personally am a HUGE fan of Phineas and Ferb. If I could build any invention with them I would build a robot butler to do all my household chores. Wait. . . was this already an episode? Let Andrea know YOUR answers in the Comments below!

— Ratha, STACKS Writer