JEFFREYS BAY – A heartwarming new community project is set to launch in Jeffreys Bay in February 2026, bringing together teenagers and senior community members to learn the traditional art of hand stitching while creating blankets of hope for those in need.
TIKVAH – Stitching Generations, founded by Nicky Olivier with co-facilitator Wendy Slabbert, aims to bridge the gap between young and old through creativity and compassion.
Olivier said that the TIKVAH project is a fun, safe, and creative space where they plan to bring seniors and youth together to share wisdom, stories, and skills.
She said that the project provides a place to put down their electronics, be “old school” again, and reconnect through laughter, learning, and love.
The inspiration for the project came from Olivier’s volunteer work in early 2025 at the Timion non-profit company, where she worked with children with cerebral palsy and their mothers.
“Seeing their struggles, the long journeys to therapy, the exhaustion, and the need for comfort, deeply moved me,” said Olivier.
She said that the turning point came through what Olivier describes as divine inspiration.
Elaborating on this, Olivier said that one night, she received a God-given dream showing her how to design a sensory blanket that could roll into a pillow for support while travelling.
This dream became the foundation of TIKVAH, meaning hope.
She said that while working at the Jeffreys Bay-based Global Leadership Academy’s clothing shop, she noticed that the learners needed help mending their uniforms.
“Remembering my joyful needlework classes from the 1990s, I felt inspired to reintroduce those practical, creative skills to learners, connecting them with community involvement and care for others,” said Olivier.
“The vision grew from a desire to restore connections between generations, between hands and hearts, and between creativity and compassion. I wanted to revive the lost art of stitching while giving purpose and belonging to both young and old.”
Olivier has since partnered with GLA to launch the programme, which will run from February to April 2026 and will take place every Monday and Wednesday from 14:00 to 16:00.
She said that only 20 spaces are available per course, and participation is completely free.
Olivier said that learners will learn essential skills such as basic hand stitching, including seam stitch, cross stitch, and double stitch, as well as how to alter or repair their own garments.
She further said that the senior participants will join through partnerships with local pastors who organise day trips for mobile elderly members of their congregations.
The first senior group to join will be Nation Builders Prophetic Apostolic Movement, a service centre for the elderly in Humansdorp.
“These senior participants join the sessions, sharing stories, laughter, and their lifelong skills with the learners,” said Olivier.
She said that the handcrafted sensory blankets will be donated to Timion NPC, supporting families affected by cerebral palsy, as well as old-age homes and memory care units in the community.
While this is the first year for the programme, Olivier has ambitious plans for expansion.
“Our dream is for this model to be introduced in high schools across the country, encouraging creativity, connection, and community wherever it goes,” said Olivier.
She said that they are currently seeking donations of materials, including yarn, fabric, buttons, batting, felt and needles.
Olivier said that community members can also volunteer their time to assist in workshops.
“TIKVAH – Stitching Generations is more than a sewing project; it’s a movement to reconnect people through creativity, compassion and hope,” said Olivier.
“Each stitch carries a story; each thread ties hearts together, and each gathering reminds us that we are stronger when generations unite.”
For more information or to sign up, contact Nicky Olivier at 076 883 0318 or Wendy Slabbert at 079 060 3096 via WhatsApp.
READ MORE: Nation Builders Prophetic Apostolic Movement
