05 Nov Niños de Dios
By Sandy Prine
Niños de Dios is a charitable group in Coronado, Panama. It was formed years ago to provide desperately needed items for newborn babies at a small hospital. Its original focus was the hospital in Penonome. Crocheters, knitters, and seamstresses came together and began making receiving blankets and baby caps. The group has since grown to over 15 hand-crafters.
This very special hospital provides obstetrics care for some of Panama’s most poverty-stricken women and teenage girls. Traveling great distances from the mountainous regions of Panama, these expectant young mothers often arrive with just the dress they are wearing.
Our crocheted receiving blankets, quilts and baby caps make 3-4 piece sets. These sets are given to mothers with newborn children. They put heart warming smiles on dozens of new mothers knowing they have something special for their precious little ones. Over 2,500 sets of handmade blankets, quilts, caps and onesies have been delivered to the hospital since the start of Dio de Niños.
By special request from the nursing staff, the group has slowly evolved and now is also supplying larger quilts and stuffed toys to the older children hospitalized. Ways to stay entertained including television, iPad or cell phones are available to these children. They are often very bored and glum. It is so rewarding to see the smiles that we can put on their faces!
