Update March - April 2012

Hello everybody


I trust that you’ve all had a great Easter or Passover! We have had a double-dose as Greek Easter fell on the weekend after Easter due to the difference in the Gregorian calendar. What a great time to spend special time and create moments with family and friends?

I would like to start this update by sharing a letter from one of the women who received counseling from Tracey at the Zoe Project. She writes about her life and states how the intervention and help has changed her life for the better...

Letter from Angela Reading*

“Well, this is a very, very short version of my life story.
I am Angela Reading *. I am 29 years old and I’ve got 4 children.

My life hasn’t been all blooming flowers due to the choices I have made.
I had a boyfriend whom I loved so much but he beat me, he abused me mentally and physically. I’ve got two children by him that he does not support at all. And for this reason I wanted to give my last baby away for adoption.
And that is how I met Tracey and heard of the Zoe Project.

My love for people made me allow them to walk all over me. Because I’m so easy to forgive, I fall into the same trop over and over again.


I came to the point where I had enough of everyone who used me.
While I was pregnant I had to walk out everyday and go from door to door to look for cleaning work. I had so much stress on me with my kids to support, a boyfriend who was on drugs and to top things, my boyfriend’s family only knew me when I had money. It was always about money – something I didn’t have.

All I had and worked for had to go for bills: the rent, the water, to buy food and for a shack that had more holes than I wish to count.


Well, I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I had enough. I was at the worst - I didn’t have the strength anymore.
Meeting Tracey made me see things more clearly than ever and in a completely different light. She showed me how it felt to be loved. She’s the one I look up to. She taught me to follow my dreams and the dream I had was to work with people.


So I started my own group. We discuss how we feel, what we went through. What our dreams are. What wrong choices we made and how to compare our lives.


We are a group of 20 young people. We pray, we hug, we cry. We talk about drug abuse, about being abused and what it feels like now, and what we can do to help each other.


This is what helps me and my friends to survive. I’ve got Tracey to thank for always believing in me and showing me the way.


We need to trust that we can overcome our situations. Thank you, Tracey for changing my life and for allowing me to find my potential.”

*Name has been changed to protect identity. The letter has been used with the permission of it’s author.

Thank you to the following contributors:

Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood and Marlene Helfrecht, Ada and Henk Timmerman, Sharon Wewege and Heather Mylne, Our anonymous friends at the New Beginnings Clinic, Michael P., Newlands Lions Club, Tania Bain, the late Dr Van Hoorn and his family, Lakeside Baptist Church, Allan Dillon and the Mountain Men, Samantha at Barksole in Tokai, Denise and Willem van Bergen and Rosemary van der Post.

Thank you for your continued support and contributions.

News from the clinic

Doula’s - We are fortunate to say that we have 2 new Doula’s who have joined the Zoe Project. Anne and Leigh work on different days at Retreat MOU. As I have mentioned before, the Doula’s play a very important role for the moms during labour - for the emotional support of the moms. Not just during labour, but also afterwards.

Awards – Now I know what you’re thinking when you see the word ‘awards’! No, we are not rewarding any member of the Zoe Committee, nor members of staff at the clinics, but rather a new concept for the clients whom we see in terms of counseling.

It is difficult to bare your soul to another person but through counseling, we have helped so many people. Tracey came up with the idea of giving an award each month to the person or persons whom have grown so much, are achieving good things in life, and have rediscovered who they are after going through our counseling programs.

The award is a small wooden plaque with a star on it, and on the award is engraved the name of the person and their ‘characteristic’ most explaining their achievement. For most of the people who receive the award, it would be their first.

Awards handed out so far:

January – “Teachable Spirit”. This was given to a mom and dad who are taking young boys who are tik addicts into their home and looking after them. Giving them a safe place to learn and grow and recover. The mom went through the Zoe counseling process and is using what she has learnt to help others.

February - “Clean for 48 Days”. A young mom who has been clean of tik for 48 days. She has indicated that once she’s gone through the program that she would like to start a support group for her young brother and some of his friends.

The look on the faces of the recipient is priceless. They realise that someone believes in them and the encouragement they receive, helps them see their dreams.

I would like to add that Samantha from Barksole in Tokai is the kind sponsor of the award as well as the engraving done on the award.

What we desperately need!

The Dry Goods Pantry
This pantry was started in Oct 2009 under the premises that, as long as we have donations, we will continue to stock it. Unfortunately, early last year, two of our major contributors decided to discontinue their contribution due to personal reasons. Due to this, we have been unable to give the amount of tinned food and other dried goods on a regular basis to the Retreat MOU kitchen. The reason we started the dry goods pantry was to fill-up on the shortfall that was provided to them. We would like to continue with the dry goods pantry and require the following items on a regular basis – tinned tomatoes, tinned meat and vegetables, 2 minute noodles, packet soups, rice and pasta.

Mom and baby packs
We are currently in desperate need of the following items – new baby grows and vests for newborns, receiving blankets and/or winter sheeting to make receiving blankets and small toys.

Maternity pads and juices for the mom packs as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes and panties [sized medium], lip-ice, deodorant, soap, facecloths and small packets of biscuits.

If you would like to contribute one or all of the abovementioned items, please contact me to discuss this.

On a personal note
Part of the work that I do, is to write – I write blogspots, brochures, workshops and workbooks. Should you require the use any of the information [part of or in its entirety] in this or other updates or from the blogspot, that you, as a professional courtesy to me, contact me to get permission before using it as it is copyright protected.  xxx
Thank you again so much for all the supporting emails and phone calls that we receive – it makes a difference to our lives too and we can pass messages on to the various staff members who work at the clinics and in the field.

Until next time, stay well.
Norah Papanicolaou

Update January - February 2012

Hello everybody


January has gone by so quickly and the phrase ‘hit the ground running’ sums up quite nicely, how it has been for me on this side! We are hardly out of the holiday spirit when we have to go back to work, sort out the kids and their schedules, sort out our own routines and just basically get on with it! I so love January – everybody has New Year’s resolutions [which, let’s face it, lasts for about 5 minutes], but everything is fresh [new school year and new friends] and it is a time to re-assess where we are and what we’re doing.

Simplicity is the buzz-word at present – keeping things simple and do-able and that way, we don’t set ourselves up for failure or disappointment!

I hope that 2012 will be a year filled with many new things for you, that you’ll be productive in whichever project you find yourself working, that the people who surround you will make you happy and that you know that you are loved!

Thank you to the following contributors:
Dr Lara Smith, Marlene Helfrecht, Bronwyn Hopwood, Salomy Coetzee, Sandy Schuurmans, Audrey Hugo, Michael P., Denise and Willem van Bergen, Rosemary van der Pas, the Ladies at the Constantia Gardeners’ Club, Tania Bain, The Newlands’ Lions, Ada and Henk Timmerman, Ingrid Rix, Collyeen Sinclair, Heather Mylne, Sharon Wewege, our friends at The New Beginnings Clinic in Meadowridge, Pamela Cable, Annette Milner, Arlene Holt, Anonymous friends, and staff at SAPS Wynberg.

Retreat MOU
During December there were 164 babies born – 60 boys and 74 girls. There were only 3 babies born on Christmas day [quite unusual as it is normally about 10] but the Zoe personnel who spent the day at the clinic said that they couldn’t have asked for a more special Christmas day. The beautiful Christmas baby and mom packs were handed out to those who delivered their babies on the day and they were overjoyed by this.

Hanover Park MOU
There were 9 babies born on Christmas day at Hanover Park and with this being the first year that the Zoe Project has handed out Christmas mom and baby packs, not only were the moms overjoyed, but the staff who worked on Christmas day was overwhelmed by the Christmas day gesture. All babies born are healthy and beautiful. We have a desperate need for a Doula in Hanover Park – please contact me if you can commit a full day with the mom and are able to stay until she gives birth and if you are interested in helping out.

Baby and Mom packs – new items
We had great support last year for products for mom and baby packs and we really hope that this year will be the same. We are currently in desperate need of the following items – new baby grows and vests for newborns, receiving blankets and/or winter sheeting to make receiving blankets and small toys; maternity pads and juices for the mom packs as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes and panties [sized medium].

Dry Goods Pantry at Retreat MOU
The dry goods pantry was started in Oct 2009 under the premises that, as long as we have donations, we will continue to stock it. Unfortunately, early last year, two of our major contributors decided to discontinue their contribution due to personal reasons. Due to this, we have been unable to give the amount of tinned food and other dried goods on a regular basis to the Retreat MOU kitchen. The reason we started the dry goods pantry was to fill-up on the shortfall that was provided to them. We would like to continue with the dry goods pantry and require the following items on a regular basis – tinned tomatoes, tinned meat and vegetables, 2 minute noodles, packet soups, rice and pasta.

If you would like to contribute one or all of the abovementioned items, please contact me to discuss.

We are still receiving home made soup which is frozen and used as needed. 40 Units for Retreat and we’re starting to give to Hanover Park too. The donation of food from the Food Bank is less than it used to be and due to this too, we would like to be able to fill up the dry goods pantry again.

Should you be in a position to offer any of the abovementioned items, please contact me to discuss delivery or collection.

Our vision for 2012 is to continue to reach out to the moms and babies who require counseling; we are planning a number of talks, mostly at schools and with women’s groups. Information about us spread through word-of-mouth and I would like to ask each of you to continue sending our updates to your friends and people whom you know could possibly help us.

Guardian Angels
The thought of spending your birthday alone and unnoticed is something that touches each of us. I am in the process of arranging a project called Guardian Angels for the St George’s Children’s home under the Information Empowers Banner. This would be that each of the 40 girls there [age ranging between 3 and 16] receive one special gift on their birthday. The idea is that my birthday is in June and I will buy a special gift for a child there whose birthday is either on my birthday or in the month of June.

This project will only work if we have the following:

40 people who absolutely commit to ‘adopting’ a child on her birthday [there are 40 children in the home].
Each person to buy one special gift for their ‘adopted’ child and for that person to personally deliver the gift to St George’s home for the child on her birthday.

I would like to just request that if you are interested to be part of this project, to send me an email in order for me to gauge interest. Unless all the children have one Guardian Angel, the project cannot go ahead. Please let me know your thoughts on this.

Second Hand clothing
Seasons are changing and we all ‘grow’ out of our clothing. Please remember us when you want to donate or throw out your clothing that you no longer use – adults and children!

Information Empowers on Facebook
Please join us on Facebook if you have a Facebook account, and please share on your wall in Facebook. The more people talking about Child Sexual Abuse and prevention, the more awareness will be created. The link is below.

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day today and as always, much love
Norah Papanicolaou

December 2011 Update and More!!!

Hello Everybody

I did say that Christmas was around the corner – well, it is now on our doorstep and I can’t believe that another year has gone by so very quickly! My humble apologies for only sending this out now. It has been a tremendously busy month for me working with 16 Days of Activism with Information Empowers, the Zoe Project and other projects, as well as preparing for Christmas. My last event was yesterday, and I am very pleased to say that after hitting ‘send’ on this email, I too shall take a break with my family! J

The past year has been incredibly busy both on the Zoe Project and Information Empowers fronts. We have accomplished so much – and needless to say we have done so with your help and encouragement and continued support.

As a recap, for those of you who don’t know what Information Empowers is all about.

I founded this organisation in 2001. It started as a research project about availability of information regarding child rape, child sexual abuse and molestation. We’ve found that not enough information was available to the people who desperately require it. And if there was information, it was written in academic terms and only accessible through expensive books or other purchase.

I have developed brochures in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa for adults about prevention and reporting child sexual abuse. Along with this, is information on how to teach children and what to say to them regarding this subject.

The C.I.A. Kids’ Workshop is used by victim empowerment groups and has proven to be successful with children as young as 4 years old. This workshop tells children about personal safety, why someone would want to hurt a child in this way, how they could possibly do it – and all of this is written in an age appropriate language and told through stories which do not put fear into children.

I have also written a book called the C.I.A. Children’s Workbook that deals with this subject matter. It is filled with colouring pictures designed by Tracey Fraser and stories that relate to various issues of safety. It has a diary section at the back of the book for those children who like to express themselves through writing or drawing. All of this is there to assist the child in becoming confident, informed and assertive [C.I.A. Kids].

Our work is mainly about prevention of child sexual abuse and education for children and adults.

In addition to the above, one of the most successful documents that we have developed is the Smart Kids' Kit (c) which is an Identity Profiling Kit for children to be used in the unlikely eventuality of your child going missing. We have been distributing these kits since 2008 to anyone and everyone who requires one. It is self-explanatory and easy to use. The advantage is that it also has instructions on getting DNA samples from your child and how to store it. Should you wish a copy, please email me at norah@xsinet.co.za

The Zoe Project is a project, separate from Information Empowers and it is very easy to confuse the two – as we help and assist in some cases, the same people. We work in both cases with safe houses and children’s homes. The networks of professionals who help both the Zoe Project and Information Empowers sometimes overlap.

I felt it necessary to clarify this as it is important to understand that even though we are two entirely different organisations, the work we do sometimes cross over and the people we meet and work with, are sometimes the same groups or organisations – depending on the nature of the assistance given.

Without our contributors, the Zoe Project and Information Empowers would not be able to assist as many people as we do, nor reach the wide group of people that we do.

Thank you to the following:
Arlene Holt, Anna Johansson, Annette Milner, Sandy Schuurmans, Salomy Coetzee, Audrey Hugo, Newlands Lions Group, Bob Harvey, Rotary International, Denise and Willem van Bergen, Pamela Cable, Brenda from Lakeside Mountain Men and Allan Dolby, Miranda Lang, Kerry Moller, Michael P., Theo and Jackie Knoesen, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Anonymous friends at the New Beginnings clinic in Meadowridge, Ingrid Rix, the Mount Nelson Hotel, Jenni McMinn, Jenni Arendorf from Place of Hope, Barksole Blue Route, SAPS Captain AJ Venter, SAPS Brigadier Hennie Niewhoudt, Ametje Rust and Allison Rulse and the entire team at Syntell Finance in Diep River, Ricki Fransman from Childline Western Cape, SAPS Kirstenhof Trauma Staff, SAPS Diep River Trauma Staff, SAPS Wynberg Trauma Staff, Thersia Du Toit-Smit, and to the other ‘anonymous’ friends who so willingly stick their necks out when the going gets tough…. Thank you to all our contributors. Whether your contribution has been for the Zoe Project or with helping Information Empowers, it has made a difference and it keeps doing so every single day!

There is no such thing as true altruism! We give and say that we don’t want to receive a mention but I endeavour to always mention the names of the people who give and help us. Sometimes, however it isn’t possible to have all the names of every person who gave something, and sometimes there are people who give something every month – and I leave their name off the list. Please accept my apologies for this – it is not intentional – just human error.


What is a Doula?
Doula comes from the Ancient Greek word meaning ‘female slave’. Because of the negative connotations, Greek labour supporters as well as various other global doulas instead call themselves labour companions, labour assistants or birth workers. These are usually mothers assisting new mothers in breastfeeding and newborn care, but it is mostly labour support during child birth. Our doula’s are trained and are there to assist the mothers when they give birth.

Our doulas DO NOT deliver babies as someone suggested this questioningly to me the other day. That is left up to the very well-trained hands of the nursing and medical profession. Our Doula’s are there for emotional support – when things get tough during birth or if the mother is very young and requires counseling immediately after birth. I’ve felt that I’ve had to clarify this as information can often be misread or misrepresented and we do not want to create an impression that our Doula’s deliver babies – they don’t!

Adoptions
We have been instrumental in 6 adoptions this year. From counseling the moms right at the start of their pregnancy through to working with adoption agencies, the babies have been placed in homes where they are loved, looked after and cared for. They are now safely with their adoptive parents, being loved and nurtured like any other child born to a family and given opportunities they would not have had otherwise. We have on-going counseling for the birth mothers and have contact, through the adoption agencies, when required, with the adoptive parents.

Women and young girls counseled this year…
We have counseled approximately 70 women and young girls throughout 2011. Entering counseling takes guts not only because of stigma which is still very much prevalent but because it requires recognition of a problem and it isn’t easy to ask for help. The women and girls counseled have received information about options for the various situations they find themselves in. They have been given the best advice and appropriate alternatives to rash decisions. In addition to this, they have been given information which is vital to making the right decision for that person – irrespective of religion, race, socio-economic demographics or belief. And we have supported them in each one of their individual decision.

Babies born to the clinic
There are on average, 200 babies born each month at Retreat MOU. We have just started working at Hanover Park MOU and I’ll let you know the stats as soon as I have them. We do not care if there are more girls than boys, we do care that each child is given the love and attention that it deserves as well as a fair chance in life and that the moms are supported during this time.

Second hand clothing
During the year we have halted receiving 2nd hand clothing due to various reasons. I have asked a couple of people to deliver to various safe houses and children’s homes themselves. Thank you for doing that! The 2nd hand clothing that was received has been given to those who need it most. People in Masiphumelele have benefited tremendously from this.

Comfort kits for survivors of rape
I have been asking you to put together a comfort kit for the survivors of rape [children and adults] and have been pleasantly surprised with feedback from various trauma counselors who work at SAPS stations who have indicated that the kits received have been welcomed by the victims and have made counseling the victims so much easier. You don’t know what it means to the survivor of a rape to get something like this when they go to report the rape. Thank you!

16 Days of Activism against violence against women and children.
Information Empowers has been very busy during the 16 Days of Activism against violence against women and children, and it has been satisfying for me personally to see that awareness changes attitudes. We have distributed the Smart Kids’ Kits © to so many people and it is a very useful document to use in case your child goes missing. In addition to this, I have attended a number of events creating awareness of child sexual abuse and also educating about prevention.

St George’s Haven – Ametje Rust and Syntell Finance Division
One of the places that I attended was St George’s Haven in Wynberg and this year, with the help of Ametje Rust and her team at Syntell, the 30 girls who live there, aged 3 to 15, and were treated by Syntell. They were given a box each with toiletries and towels, and other amazing goodies, as well as a special item of comfort for each individual girl to suit their age. Ametje is an inspiring woman who has a huge heart, and working with her and her team for the 2nd year now, I have learnt that her enthusiasm about life and her philosophy on giving has definitely rubbed off on each of the members of staff who work with her. Ametje knows and has seen first hand what a difference they’re making. Thank you Ametje!

We were hosted at St Georges Haven by Capt Andre Venter from Wynberg SAPS and the 30 girls performed their art for us – from poetry, to singing and dance, drawings and each one showing us their individual talent. The life skills that these girls have acquired through their various life experiences are things that most adults I know aren’t even aware of exists. They are awesome girls with bright futures ahead of them. Their determination to overcome situations is inspiring.

Graeme Cairns sent feedback that the girls are still talking about their special day with us, and needless to say, we think of each of them often too.

Lakeside Mountain Men – Brenda and Allan Dolby
Brenda contacted me during the year after receiving my newsletter and they have just blown us away with their amazing contribution of baby grows, clothes and items for the mom packs. They have visited the Retreat MOU with Tracey and I just wanted to say thank you to Brenda and the entire team at Lakeside Mountain men who have decided to assist us this year with the Zoe Project.

Beanies, beanies, beanies…..
Thank you for the many beanies we have and are still receiving. We use beanies for the new-born babies. Unfortunately, and also very funnily, we have received beanies that I can wear! What we’ve decided to do with the larger beanies is to give them to amongst other places, a home in Saldanha Bay, CPOA Old Aged Home in Sea Point as well as to children in Masiphumelele. May I respectfully ask that if you want to knit beanies, please ensure that it would fit a new-born baby’s head! [J]

Pass on the emails
Word-of-mouth is our biggest advertisement. Please continue to send the emails out to your friends, and if they would like to be on our list of people, who receive our updates, please email me at norah@xsinet.co.za  and I will add them.

Hanover Park MOU
It is with great excitement that I can report that we are now working at Hanover Park MOU too. It is difficult at times with the gang-violence, but so far we have been safe. We have included Hanover Park MOU in our Annual Special Christmas Babies and Moms’ packs. We have secured 10 mom packs and 10 baby packs for Christmas day, in addition to the 10 that we give to them for the month.

The staff has come back to us to say that they are encouraged to know that so many people care and that we are already making a difference to their work and to the lives of their patients. Bob Harvey through Rotary International donated 2 wheelchairs during the year, one of which has gone to Hanover Park. The other day, an ambulance staff member commented that the wheelchair donated has made such a difference to their work – delivering patients to the clinic from the ambulance as well as being able to do so safer. Thank you so much, Bob and Rotary, we salute you!

Retreat MOU
Again, we have arranged that our Special Christmas Babies each receive a baby and mom’s pack. Tracey arranged a special day for the staff where they were each handed a gift. Thank you Graeme for wrapping each present with such love and precision! They all enjoyed the day and thank you to Yolanda for baking those scrumptious cupcakes for the event.

The Annual Six-a-side Soccer day
This happened in October and not in November as I earlier reported. It was well attended by Zoe Staff as well as teams from the Retreat MOU with their families. The day turned out great. Thank you to Barksole in the Blue Route for giving us 6 medals for the winning team as well as for doing free engraving on the trophies.

Masiphumelele
Regina is doing a wonderful job. Some of the fresh fruit and vegetables that we receive each Friday go to Regina who then distributes it to the children whose families need it most. Along with the second hand clothing, towels and blankets that we receive, we know that each item is given with love and that each family receiving something does so because they are in dire straits. Keep up the good work, Regina!

Old clients
We are happy to say that we are still in contact with most of the women that we have counseled. The mother of Zoe [the girl this project was named after] still has contact with Tracey. She is doing very well and is making a success of her and her daughter’s life. It is a tremendous encouragement to see that people can turn their lives around for the better.

Facebook
We have a facebook page. Please click on the link below and LIKE us if you are on facebook. The more likes, the more people are reached.

Desperately needed for next year
I know this is supposed to be the latest news and update, but I would also like to use this as a reminder of the items that we desperately require for 2012.

Dry Goods Pantry – 2 minute noodles, rice, pasta, tinned food of all kinds, cup-a-soup and powdered milk, coffee, tea and sugar.
Mom packs – sanitary pads, medium sized panties, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, a snack to eat whilst in labour, a small box juice to drink whilst in labour. Please note that the sanitary pads MUST BE MATERNITY PADS. The ordinary sanitary pads are not absorbent enough.
Baby packs – all newborn size and NEW items, please. Baby grows, vests, baby toiletries [not powder or ear buds], receiving blanket, fleecy blanket, booties, knitted jersey and small toy.

Thank you everybody for your messages of support, your emails, your phone calls, the time you have spent helping us to help others. Thank you for each stitch that you’ve knitted, sewn or crocheted, thank you for going to the shops and buying items for our moms and babies, thank you, thank you, thank you!

May your festive season be one where the only regret is that you’ve had too much pudding. May 2012 bring success and love and happiness your way.

Have a wonderful time and we’ll talk again next year.

All my love, as always

Norah Papanicolaou
Information Empowers!
Fighting the war against child sexual abuse because every child matters
http://www.informationempowers.org.za/
and for the Zoe Project

October 2011 Update - Zoe Project

Hello Everybody

It has been a very busy couple of months and we are heading into silly season… Christmas is upon us and so are school holidays.
I can’t wait to spend this special time with my family and friends!

Thank you to the following contributors:
Kerry Moller, Pamela Cable, Sandy Schuurmans, Michael P., Salomy Coetzee, Bob Harvey, Nicki, Mia, Sonja Stock and their friends Monique and Sarah-Jane, Brenda and her team from Mountain Men, Hershel School, Annette Muller, Denise and Willem van Bergen, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne and our friends at the New Beginnings Clinic, and Ingrid Rix, Bob Harvey, Rotary International and Rene Sale.

Nicki Stock ran a 2-day fun workshop with her daughters, Mia and Sonja and their 2 friends, Monique and Sarah-Jane during the last school holidays. They made one quilt based on the quilts that their grandmother had made for us and for firefighters in the UK. The quilt was given to a young mom who opted to give her baby up for adoption. It was special in that, the girls had put their names and a message of love on the back of the quilt. That baby went to his new home with this quilt and hopefully one day, will know that his entry into life was one of and one of being given better opportunities through the adoption love.

The girls from Herschel School went on a tour of Retreat maternity clinic. They brought with them hand-made blankets, baby shoes and many beautiful items for the mom and baby packs. Tracey spoke at the school informing the girls of the Zoe Project and also about teenage pregnancies. This inspired them to make a special contribution and to visit the clinic. They saw for themselves where the babies are born and how the clinic is run and left knowing more about what the Zoe Project is all about.

Donation of 2 Wheelchairs by Rotary International
Two wheelchairs were donated by Rotary International via Bob Harvey. One each was given to Retreat Maternity and Hanover Park Maternity Clinics. The staff and patients are very grateful for this as it makes giving birth so much easier when you're mobile...



The Zoe Project at Hanover Park

For the last couple of months we have been working with the team at Hanover Park Maternity Clinic. We are fortunate in that we have had our first ‘hand-over’ of mom and baby packs at the clinic. As with Retreat Maternity, our main focus is counseling and we will continue with the ethos of the Zoe Project at both Retreat and Hanover Park Clinics. As can be imagined, we are very excited about this opportunity to help more young moms and families. It is especially difficult working in this area currently due to all the gang-fighting and shootings happening. We trust that our endeavours will be fruitful and help those who most need it.


Second hand clothing and linen items:
The items in the mom and baby packs are only brand new items. As I have mentioned in the past, we work with safe houses and baby houses who help some of our ladies from domestic abusive situations and help with adoptions of our babies. The items of second hand clothing and linen, etc is given to them to help start up these women and children who have nothing when they leave these domestic violent situations. Any 2nd hand and used clothing that we receive, along with bedding, curtains and other linen is therefore given to them.

In addition to this, we have a person working in Masiphumelele, assisting families who have nothing or have lost everything. Some of our items go there too. The need is great. And it is difficult to help absolutely everybody, but we remain focused and ensure that all goods go to those who need it most.

Annual Soccer Day:
For as long as I can remember, the Zoe Project has had a Soccer Day for families and children as a fundraiser. Our soccer day will happen at the end of November and entry is per person or team. The money raised goes to the Zoe Project for shortfall of items we may have during the year. Please contact me should you be interested in entering a team.

16 Days of Activism:
Many of the women we work with are victims of domestic violence. In addition to this, as you know Information Empowers! is my organisation educating and informing adults and children about child sexual abuse. 16 Days of Activism starts on Friday, 25th November 2011 and ends on 10th December which is also international AIDS awareness day. Please look out for events to support during this time.

Comfort Kits for victims of Rape:
Again, I would like to encourage you to prepare [even if it is just one] comfort kit for victims of rape and sexual abuse and hand them to your closest SAPS Trauma room. These kits consisting of deodorant, sanitary pads, panties and underwear [for adults and children], along with toothpaste and a toothbrush and something like a colouringbook and pencils is a great comfort especially for a child who has to go through the secondary trauma of reporting the abuse.

I wish you all well and would like to thank you again for your ongoing support and encouragement.

As always, lots of love
Norah Papanicolaou
http://www.informationempowers.org.za/
and for the Zoe Project

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The Zoe Project Update June - July 2011

Hello Everybody

Thank you to everybody for the messages of well-wishes since our last newsletter. While I may not have sent out an email appealing for items, we have had many people contact us with very generous donations. Each item received, no matter how big or small has been put to use and is so much appreciated.

Thank you to the following contributors:

Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Rene Grimmbacher, Michael P., Arlene Johansson, Anna Johansson, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sandy Schuurmans, Annette Milner, Pam Cable, Diane Maw, Sue Lotouf, Ronelle Van Rooyen, Jenne McIver, Gillian Everdij, Fiona Boyd, Janine Taylor, Gillian Key, Leisha Davies, Shelly Hindmarch [JDI], Tracy Le Roux [JDI], Genevieve Le Cordeur, Julie Bird, Deanne Gordon, The Mount Nelson Hotel, Nompilo Ndlovo from the Wheat Trust, Newlands Lions, Rene Sale, Val Turner, Constantia Garden Club, Gary Kruger from Pick ‘n Pay Steenberg, Heather Booysen and pupils from Claddagh dance Studio, Christel Swart, Dr Leaver and our Anonymous friends from the New Beginnings clinic.

A special thank you and mention to Diane, Sue, Ronelle, Jenny, Gillian, Fiona, Janine, Gillian K, Leisha, shelly, Tracy, Genevieve, Julie and Deanne for your very generous donation of 40 mom and baby packs and the food for the dry goods pantry, and the hard work getting everything together. It was overwhelming for me to collect the items from you, Diane and to see just how much love and effort went into everything you ladies did. I know the moms and babies who will receive these items will be overjoyed! Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

To Pam Cable and your group of friends – thank you for the lovely knitted items. Again, they are treasured and especially since they’re hand-made by you.

To Annette Milner and the Pregnancy Crises Centre in Muizenberg who has had to close down recently, thank you for sharing with us. You know the work we do and just how much each bit is appreciated.

Nompilo Ndlove from the Wheat Trust – thank you for the toiletries and baby soft toys.

The Lions Club of Newlands, Val Turner – we have been receiving fresh food items from them the last 3 weeks and the fresh vegetables are used in our soups.

Rene Sale and friends – thanks for the washed and ironed and sorted clothing.

Constantia Garden Club for your donation of baby grows.

Gary Kruger from Pick ‘n Pay Steenberg – thank you for the boxes of food and toiletries.

Heather Booysen and pupils from the Claddagh Dance Studio for the donation of blankets, and Christel Swart for the huge donation of baby goods.

As you know, it is not possible for me to write individual thank you notes to every contributor and this newsletter which is sent far and wide, is actually a tribute and a thank you to all our contributors as well as an update. This newsletter has singled out a few of our contributors but every single contribution is valued by us and every single person or group who has contributed, is appreciated.

Thank you all for making a difference in the lives of so many people!

News from the clinic:

We have had 3 adoptions in the last month and we’re happy to say that both the biological moms, babies and adoptive parents are doing very well.

Babies Born:

I do not have a figure of babies born for the last 2 months. The average amount of births is ± 200 babies per month with usually boys outnumbering girls.

Woman’s Day:

We have just celebrated Woman’s Day on the 9th August. Women are the people who drive the world and make things happen. Someone once told me about the ‘international sisterhood’ – not a registered organisation, but rather a recognition, internationally of the difficulties women face but also the strength they have of overcoming most difficulties; and of helping one another. I guess you are all part of this recognised international sisterhood!

Second hand clothing and linen items:

The items in the mom and baby packs are only brand new items. As I have mentioned in the past, we work with safe houses and baby houses who help some of our ladies from domestic abusive situations and help with adoptions of our babies. The items of second hand clothing and linen, etc is given to them to help start up these women and children who have nothing when they leave these domestic violent situations. Any 2nd hand and used clothing that we receive, along with bedding, curtains and other linen is therefore given to them. In addition to this, we have a person working in Masiphumelele, assisting families who have nothing or have lost everything. Some of our items go there too.

The need is great. And it is difficult to help absolutely everybody, but we remain focused and ensure that all goods go to those who need it most.

Please feel free to contact me to collect for the Zoe Project, or should you have any queries, please email me.

As always, lots of love

Norah Papanicolaou

The Zoe Project Update May - June 2011

Hi Everybody

Since my last newsletter, much has happened on the Zoe Project.

I would like to start off by saying that we have completed our Section 21 registration forms and await our registration number!

We have had our first executive meeting and our members and executive team are:
Tracey Aitken, Norah Papanicolaou, Marian Clemitson, Claire Adams and members are Penny Beer, Yolanda Parry, Pam Cuff, Charles Daniels and June Leonard.

We will continue to fulfill the vision and goals of the Zoe Project as before and I trust with all the documentation and duties in place will be more effective.

Thank you to the following contributors:

Arlene Johansson, Nicki Stock, Mary Johnson, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Michael P., Anna Johansson, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Annette Milner, Heather Booysen and the pupils from the Claddagh dance studio, Christel Swart, and our many anonymous friends from the New Beginnings Baby Clinic in Meadowridge.

Babies born in April

Girls 111 and boys, 75. There were 16 babies born to moms who are 18 years old and under.

Products for the mom and baby packs

We are in desperate need of all the items for mom packs and for the baby packs we just don’t have any baby grows, vests or receiving blankets. These items make up the 20 of each mom and baby packs that we have committed to give at the clinic each month. Our mom and baby packs go only to the most needy moms.

Products for the pantry

We are still receiving out 40 punnets of soup each month and we continue to buy bread, jam and peanut butter to fill the fresh items. We have only received a small amount of dry goods [2minute noodles, soups, pasta and rice and tinned food] and these items were used within the first week of delivery. We desperately would like to continue with our dry goods pantry, but can only do so with your continued support.

Desperate Appeal

The house of 2 children and their parents burnt down last week. They are situated in Hout Bay and attend a local primary school in the Southern Suburbs. They lost everything and I’m assisting the school where they attend in attaining clothing, bedding and shoes for all 4 people of this family. The most desperate items required are materials for a roof over their heads. I would like to ask if anyone out there can help with rebuilding these people’s lives. Please contact me at email address to discuss how you can help.

We need the following building materials:
Zinc 10” [any quantity – no amount is too little]
Door frames x 3
Door handles x 3
Any other items required with which to build a house
I also have a list of clothing and shoe sizes – please let me know if you’d like a copy.

I hope to hear from all of you soon and I wish you much love

As always

Norah Papanicolaou

The Zoe Project Update March and April 2011

Hello Everybody

Thank you for being patient with me with regard to our email updates. I will be sending out an email every 2 months from now on.

Thank you to our contributors:

Ingrid Rix, Arlene Johansson, Anna Johansson, Denise and Willem van Bergen, Sharon Wewege and Heather Milne and our anonymous friends at New Beginnings Clinic.

Dry goods pantry:

We have not received food for the dry goods pantry in the last 3 months and it has been sorely missed by all the moms at the clinic. We have been buying bread and bare necessities every week to fill in the little bit of food [one dry Provita and a cup of tea a day] that the government gives to feed the moms.

Mom and Baby packs:

We are still in desperate need of all the items for the mom and baby packs. Please let me know if you can assist here.

We can make a small difference, and we do. We will continue to work at the Retreat maternity clinic as we have in the past. At present I am sure everyone is feeling the pinch and we are confident that things for our moms and babies will pick up.

Congratulations to Yolanda Parry:

Yolanda was nominated and won the “Rotary Woman of the Year 2011 award” for her work done at the clinic. Yolanda has been with us for a year now and her work every Tuesday is so valuable to the moms who come into contact with her during labour and afterwards. Congratulations, Yolanda! You deserve the accolade.

Making a personal difference:

The election on the 18th May is so close and I hope you have all registered to vote and that you will make your vote count. Only by voting can one have a say in how the government is run and enforce small changes in the country.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter and holiday week. Back to work tomorrow and back to school for the children.

Stay safe and love as always,


Norah Papanicolaou