A Friendship, an Idea, a Mission

Sometimes, the greatest ideas begin as small seeds of Hope. For the Reverend Jeff Hual and his wife Kerry, what started as a simple conversation between friends has blossomed into a life-changing initiative for many Syrian refugee women in Turkey as well as internally displaced women after the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in 2023. Episcopal Volunteers in Mission Jeff and Kerry are supported by The Episcopal Church through the Office of Global Partnerships, and their project, Knitting for Hope, offers empowerment, self-reliance, and healing to some of the most vulnerable women in the world.

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32

A FRIENDSHIP

The seed of a mission

The journey of Knitting for Hope began in 2014 when Jeff Hual, then a seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary, met Hakan Gülerce during an immersion tour in Istanbul, Turkey. Hakan, the manager of a religious organization called the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, became fast friends with Jeff. In the years that followed, the two developed a shared vision for supporting refugees, particularly the growing number of Syrians fleeing to Turkey due to the Syrian civil war.

In 2019, after several years of lost contact, Jeff and Hakan reconnected. Hakan had moved to Urfa, a city near the Syrian border with the highest concentration of Syrian refugees in Turkey. The dire needs of these refugees presented a challenge that Jeff and Hakan felt called to address. What began as small, localized efforts—such as providing wheelchairs and educational materials through Jeff’s Episcopal Parish, All Hallows, Davidsonville, MD—eventually gave birth to the Knitting for Hope project.

AN IDEA

How Can We Help?

The idea for Knitting for Hope emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugee women, many of whom were widows with children, struggled to support their families. With few job opportunities available to them, and a deep trauma that often left them unable or unwilling to leave their homes, these women were in a state of despair.

The concept was simple yet profound: teach these women to knit, creating a means for them to supplement their income while simultaneously offering a sense of community and healing. The women produce amigurumi products—crocheted dolls, laptop bags, and purses—that are sold both locally and internationally. The project not only provides income but also offers these women the opportunity to share their stories, connect with others in similar circumstances, and begin the process of emotional healing.

Empowerment and Self-Reliance

One of the most powerful aspects of Knitting for Hope is the emphasis on self-reliance. The organization is democratically run, with the women themselves determining its direction and decisions. This sense of ownership empowers them to take control of their lives and their futures. The women have the opportunity to work from home, which allows them to care for their children without the need for external childcare. In many cases, these women are unable or unwilling to leave their homes due to the trauma they’ve experienced, but the Knitting for Hope model provides them with a way to earn income and remain with their families. They can also work together in a community space, where they can knit, drink tea, and talk. The shared experience of being widows, refugees, and survivors creates a profound bond among them, and many of the women have found healing through these interactions.

A MISSION

Growing Into a Sisterhood of Hope Amid Tragedy

The work of Knitting for Hope is not limited to Syrian refugees. After the devastating February 2023 Karamanmaraş earthquake, which left thousands dead and displaced many more, the organization extended its support to Turkish refugee widows. The Syrian women who had already benefited from the program began teaching their Turkish counterparts to knit, offering not only skills but also hope and healing.

The refugees live in container camps—shipping containers that have been retrofitted to serve as makeshift homes. The conditions are difficult, and the loss of life and property has been staggering. Yet, Knitting for Hope continues to offer a glimmer of hope by providing these women with an opportunity to support themselves and their families while healing from the traumas they’ve experienced.

A Mission of Relationships

At the heart of Knitting for Hope is the power of relationships. As Jeff Hual says, “Everything we do is based on relationships.” His friendship with Hakan is the foundation of the project, but it extends far beyond that. Jeff, Kerry, and their team have built deep, long-lasting relationships with the women they serve, as well as with volunteers from across Turkey and beyond.

The volunteer corps for Knitting for Hope consists of young adults, many of whom were students at Heron University, where Hakan teaches. Some of the volunteers are even Syrian refugees themselves, whose tuition was paid by the organization. In return, they give back by volunteering, helping to train new knitters, and supporting the overall work of the organization.

This model of relationship-building is what makes Knitting for Hope so unique and powerful. It is not simply a top-down aid program, but a collaborative, community-driven initiative that uplifts everyone involved—whether they are giving or receiving help.

A Call to Action

As you read about the incredible work of Knitting for Hope, we invite you to get involved. Whether through prayer, financial support, or volunteering, there are many ways you can be a part of this life-changing mission. Reach out to the Office of Global Partnerships to learn more about how you can help.

Please keep the women of Knitting for Hope in your prayers, that they may continue to find healing, strength, and hope through their work.

In the spirit of Jesus’ parable, Knitting for Hope reminds us that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—small at first, but growing into something that provides shelter and sustenance for many. Through relationships, empowerment, and hope, this initiative is changing lives one stitch at a time.

Watch and share the video interview of the Rev. Jeff Hual below: