For almost eight years, people proficient in knitting and crochet have been sending lovingly handmade items to promote safe childbirth and follow-up immunisations. 

This week, they met one of the sisters who receives their parcels at the other end. 

Sister Inacia Mafalda Fatima of the Carmelite Sisters of East Timor visited Bendigo on Tuesday to thank the volunteers for their contributions. 

People crowded into a corner of the Radius workshop in Eaglehawk, where donations are sorted and stored, to welcome her. 

More than 400 people contribute their time and skills to the project.

Patti Cotton of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst said those in attendance represented all those involved.

“It’s got bigger than Ben Hur,” she said.

The initiative started in Bendigo, but volunteers are based throughout Victoria and even New South Wales. 

It is co-ordinated by the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst, in partnership with Radius and Friends of the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Donations have become so plentiful a wool baler is required to package the goods and send them to East Timor. 

“We are now looking for a partner to help supply a wool baler,” Mrs Cotton said. 

The raw materials the community partnership sends to East Timor is worth thousands of dollars – more, once it has been masterfully woven into clothing and blankets. 

To the families in East Timor – or Timor-Leste, if you prefer – the donations are an invaluable source of warmth and comfort. 

Sister Inacia said the garments were divided among nine villages and more than 60 smaller villages. 

“Twice a week we go to every village,” she said.

“Hundreds of babies come, not just from Maubisse.”

Mothers receive the sets of children’s clothes and blankets when they visit health clinics. 

Child mortality is high in East Timor, with at least 40 deaths of children under five years of age for every 1000 live births. 

A 2014 World Health Organisation press release puts the precise figure at 68 per cent. 

Mrs Cotton thanked the community for its support of the initiative. 

She frequently receives donations of wool or beautifully crafted items.