'Grandma Sweater' warms children in need

Over 300 sweaters made by a group of seniors in Ningbo, Zhejiang province are packaged to be sent to Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]

The 87-year-old Han Cuiju from Ningbo in Zhejiang province is known as "Grandma Sweater" due to 18 years making sweaters for children in undeveloped areas.

In 2005, retired Han decided to make sweaters for children in undeveloped areas after watching a video in which children wearing flimsy clothes stood in freezing wind. She set herself a goal – making a sweater every week. Since then, she has spent almost all her time weaving. She gets up at 4 am every day to start working early. Over the years, she has donated sweaters to children in nearly 20 provinces across the country.

Han's story later spread around the city and she was nicknamed "Grandma Sweater". More and more seniors have been joining her. In 2020, a 100-person weaving group was established. In 2021, the group donated 200 sweaters to Yushu Tibet autonomous prefecture in Qinghai province.

On Feb 14, more than 300 sweaters made by the seniors were packaged by volunteers and will be sent to Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province. 

"I'm so happy that more and more people are joining the group. We can make more sweaters in various styles," said Han.