introducing the zoe project by norah papanicolaou

Since 2006 I have been involved , in quite a remote way, with a project whose main emphasis is counseling and assisting mothers from the poorer areas surrounding Retreat, Cape Town, before and when they give birth. I say remote, because i have really only been working through a friend of mine, collecting products to give to these women and not really visiting or contributing in a way which i know would make a real difference.
I contacted Tracey, who initiated the Zoe Project 6 years ago, and visited her at the clinic, to find out exactly what the needs are and what it is that the people who work with the Zoe Project, do.

I would like to introduce this project to you and truly hope that you would join me in making a difference in the life of someone who is less fortunate than us.

The Retreat Maternity Clinic falls under Mowbray Maternity. It is a small clinic where these women, and often they are young girls, go to have their babies. There are only trainee doctors and the nursing staff to assist them. Should there be emergencies, they are sent to Groote Schuur hospital. These moms have to leave the clinic 6 hours after giving birth ; going back to their shacks in the shanty towns or their backyard Wendy houses - if they are lucky enough to live in one.

In most cases, the moms do not even have the most basic of things [like a toothbrush, sanitary pads or even a blanket in which to wrap their precious little babies.] The clinic has a kettle and they make tea and coffee - with the once a month delivery from the Department of Health, but they do not provide enough. They do not have a dinner facility to those who stay overnight to have their babies - so, if they don't bring their own food, they do not eat! [A very kind lady prepares 40 x 250g margarine tubs filled with soup, which is frozen and kept for the overnight deliveries. But that is only once a month and when it is done, there is none left until the next delivery.]

The Zoe Project was established approximately 6 years ago by Tracey. She and her partner, Joanne have worked very hard at establishing a relationship with the sisters and nurses at the clinic. They have been allowed to provide this very necessary service through very hard work. The Zoe Project offers the following free services to these new moms:

* Give pregnancy and psychological counseling - which is the main concentration of the
program.
* Give pregnancy educational talks - 1 hour long - of what to expect during pregnancy and
labour.
* Assist in information about adoption as well as facilitate the adoptions - 20% of all
children adopted from South Africa internationally, come from the Retreat Clinic.
* Assist in removing moms and children from dangerous and abusive situations and place
them in a place of safety.
* Try to give a MOMS & BABY pack to every baby born at the clinic - although there is
never enough and we therefore, only give to the neediest and most desperate.
* Try to get Dullah's involved with the clinic - women who sit with the moms while they are
in labour - just holding hands, rubbing tummies or wiping foreheads with a damp cloth.
* The 40 x 250g margarine tubs filled with soup.

What is it that I'd like you to be part of?
My involvement is purely to get a network of caring people together who will assist me in the following:
Providing some of, or all of the products for one MOM&BABY pack once a month.
Providing some of, or all of the products to fill our Dry-goods Pantry at the clinic - this was opened on 1 October 2008. - once a month.

The Zoe Project is not just a "let's give away a whole lot of things" where everyone in the neighbourhood goes because they know they get "free stuff". These products to ONLY to the neediest of people.

So, what is a MOM&BABY'S pack?
MOM'S PACKS consists of:
1 x 2litre ice-cream container filled with the following goods:
* a toothbrush and toothpaste
* one panty - sized Medium
* sanitary towels - 2
* soap and a facecloth
* a booster snack or biscuits
* small fruit juice
* small hand lotion or lip ice

BABY'S PACKS consists of:
1 x litre ice-cream container filled with the following goods:
* all NEW PRODUCTS AND NEW BORN SIZED [it is important to the dignity of the people who already have nothing that they are given NEW THINGS for their precious babies]
* Baby grow
* vest
* 2 Nappies
* Knitted or other cap, booties and jersey
* knitted blanket
* receiving blanket
* soft knitted toy
* baby products - no earbuds or powder

DRY-GOODS PANTRY
Goods to continue with our dry-goods pantry include:
* Jungle oats
* Tea and Coffee
* Sugar
* Powdered or longlife milk
* 2 minute noodles
* rice
* pasta
* tinned foods [mixed veg, bully beef, pilchards, baked beans, tinned tomatoes, etc]
* spreads for bread [marmite, peanut butter, jams]
* cup-a-soup

As I said, these things make such a huge difference in the lives of people who already have so little. Please help me and become a part of this network of incredible people who contribute and help.
Leave a message on the blog of how you may be contacted if you are interested in helping.

A further update about our project will follow.
Best wishes
Norah
xxxxx