In 2015 Rare Diseases SA (RDSA) had made the decision to commission bears for their newly registered rare disease patients, which could be gifted to them so that they could have a companion to encourage them in their journey of survival. 

BUT, due to the nature of rare diseases, RDSA was looking for unique, handcrafted bears – they wanted BEARS that were RARE.

At the same time a local community project were looking to host a skills clinic for unemployed ladies in the Kya Sands community.

​A joint initiative was born,  whereby the ladies were taught the skills to crochet #RareBears, and a platform to generate income was provided.

​This project is now able to address 2 needs: 

1) It creates a “community of love” for Rare Diseases SA patients whereby #RareBears are donated to a rare disease patient via the #Care4Rare programme.

 2) Empowers the ladies of KyaSands and provides them with a skill that enables them to provide for their families.

​To date, this project has seen over 60 woman up-skilled in the art of crocheting, and provided them with a sustainable, income generating opportunity by making #RareBears which in turn are either donated to a patient, or sold to the public.