Thank you so much to the people who have responded so far to my request for assistance with the Zoe Project. I have been overwhelmed by some – the offer of a fridge-freezer for our Dry Goods Pantry – and wowed by others – generous contributions for the pantry and our Mom & Baby packs.
I am going to list the first names of people who have contributed or helped so far. I am really appreciative to all of you, and the names are in no particular order…
Jane and Sebastian, Alison, Nikki, Nicki, Arlene, Kaye, Sharon, Heather, Jo A, Jo D, Ingrid, Sheena, Lorette, Frederika and the anonymous but generous parents at Monterey. Well done to all of you. Know that you have made a difference in the life of someone.
I have been sending out emails in the last week of each month, reminding our contributors of our “collection week”. This is when we collect from your homes. The process is the following. We collect the items, list what we receive from whom and then divide the goods into “for Pantry” and “for Mom & Baby packs”.
The reason for this is because the Pantry goods go to the clinic once a month and the products we receive for the Mom & Baby packs, go to two ladies who do our packing for us.
A full list of each item is then given to the sister in charge of the pantry, and another list to the ladies who pack the products.
Update on our progress
In addition to the contributors, I have contacted Musgrave Retirement Village and they have agreed to do some knitting for us – provided we provide the wool. The ladies there are constantly in the newspaper for knitting soft toys and clothes for the under privileged. I will make a delivery of wool once we have enough for them to knit at least 5 outfits and blankets.
Olive from the Busy Bees in Meadowridge has rounded up the “knitting ladies” in her church Circle – and they have promised 5 knitted blankets and jersey-sets per month. Thank you and well done… Anyone up for a challenge?
Further developments
No matter how small, each day we make a difference.
I have received a whole lot of second hand baby clothes, and as you all know, we have asked for new clothes for the mom and baby packs. The reason we ask for new clothes is because these women, just like you and I, would want to wrap and dress their precious babies in something new and fresh. They have nothing, and this new outfit is probably the only new outfit they will ever be able to give their child. Their dignity is important to us!
However, because of the receipt of the 2nd hand clothes, we have decided to make us of this by giving it to the 2 places of safety [because the women who go their leave their homes with nothing]; and also the 3 baby houses to which we refer the babies up for adoption .
Everything will be used! It is amazing how one event can have such a great spin-off to something else which is great!
So, if you have 2nd hand baby clothes and you don’t know what to do with it: wash them, and let me know – I’ll collect!
Dry Goods Pantry
I have spoken to the 2 sisters in charge at the clinic and asked them how the pantry was received. The patients know that there is no food, but in the last month and a half, it has made an amazing difference to them… from surprise to relief! Also, this has made the lives of those who stay overnight so much easier. They have had about 25 births over a period of 6 nights and all the moms have been fed.
In addition to the overnight deliveries, there are also a number of “kangaroo moms”. They are moms who have given birth prematurely and their babies are underweight. They also benefit from the Dry-Goods Pantry.
Yesterday, there was a little girl [unnamed as yet] who weighed 1.5 kg at birth. Her weight had dropped [as after all births] and she can only go home once she weighs 2.2kg. She was a miracle to see. I stood in amazement and watched this little thing, knowing that often these babies don’t make it.
The food is allocated by the night shift sister and she catalogues to whom it goes and even had a list for me of what they cooked!
A Couple of Questions
How many babies are born per month and how many are girls and how many boys?
The average birth rate is 200 per month, but in October there were 202 births!
Unfortunately, they couldn’t tell me the girl-boy ratio.
What things are most used in the pantry and which are not? And are there products which is needed but not on the list?
The products most used, are the tinned foods [tuna, pilchards] The products for the Dry
Goods Pantry which is not on the list, but is needed, are: Bully beef, tuna, tinned
meat, powdered and long life milk, baked beans. [I will send out a list of requirements
again when I notify everyone about our collection date.]
Products needed for the mom and baby packs but not on the list, are: roll-on deodorants
and medium sized panties [normal and disposable].
Sports Day and thank you to staff
The Zoe Project will be hosting a sports day for the staff of the Retreat Clinic this coming weekend. Watch this space for some fun filled photographs....
Thank you all for your contribution and commitment to this Project. Please contact me via email or telephone if you have any questions – you can leave your response/comment/suggestions on the blog.
Lots of love Norahxxx
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