ZOE PROJECT UPDATE – 1 DECEMBER 2008
Hello Everybody
Again, I wish to thank all of you for your very considerate and thoughtful contributions and offers of help during November 2008. The collection week last week had me really busy. My car and house was full of grocery bags with items for the Moms & Baby packs as well as products for the pantry.
Thank you to the following people who contributed:
Jane and Sebastian, Ingrid, Jo D., Lorette, Dimitra , Nicki S., Nikki A., Lara S., Bronwyn H, Marlene H, Sandy S, Alexandra, Frederika S, Lisa S., Michael P.
The Anonymous Parents at Monterey School
A big ‘thank you’ too, to Jo Ashwell at Monterey Pre-Primary School and to Sharon Wewege and Heather Mylne from the New Beginnings Baby Clinic for allowing me to put our poster and brochures at both premises. The response from both has been tremendous!
There are still a couple of people from whom I haven’t heard and I know that I will hear from you soon.
I know we’re all making plans for the holidays and that the children are home from school or university and I appreciate those people who have taken this into consideration for the December collection week. When you get the email reminder for December collection week, and you have already contributed for December, please just ignore until January.
Some Very Interesting Developments…
A couple of weeks ago I met with a representative from UNICEF. We have been speaking via email and we are working towards getting UNICEF involved with our project. It would work in a reciprocal manner. They are very interested in learning our methodology and direction and adapting it to other clinics in South Africa. Needless to say, this is HUGE!
It also goes without saying that this is still in infancy stage and we are still very ambivalent about what would happen and exactly how this would unfold. I will update you in our newsletters and via the blogspot when I have news on this development.
Future growth……
I have been contacted by people from various ports of life asking for help about many things and through this and due to research, it has come to my attention that there are not many documents available regarding ‘what to do when you suspect or know that your child has been raped’.
The Child Protection Unit [CPU] was disbanded a couple of years ago, and because all of this has to follow correct procedure legally, very few organisations have material available. Currently, aspects like this are governed by the CFS [Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit]; which incorporates the Child Justice Bill, the Sexual Offences Bill and the Domestic Violence Act. I have had discussions with Lifeline and more specifically, Childline who have agreed to assist me in compiling a brochure with such information. The idea is to have it translated into English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and to distribute it to as many people as possible. Look out for that, because I may ask a couple of you to hand them out.
I ask that each of you continue spreading the word about the Zoe Project – not only because you are contributing products and knowingly are making a difference in the life of someone less fortunate, but my instinct tells me that we will be making a difference on so many more levels in our communities.
A Christmas Wish List………
Sister Linda at Retreat Maternity contacted me recently as asked whether we could put out a request for some much needed medical equipment. My philosophy in life is this: One can ask a question but one must be prepared for either answer…. A no, or a yes. I am asking a question, and obviously would love it if someone could help; or if someone knows someone who could help, but I am also prepared for the No answer.
We desperately need the following medical equipment:
Foetal Doppler Heart Monitors x 3
Suction Machine
Incubator
Dynomaps Machines - to monitor blood pressure
Phototherapy Light
Computers and printers – for administrative purposes
Please let me know if you know of anyone or any company who would be able to assist us in this quest.
I believe that each of us is placed on earth for a specific reason – one must just find that place within oneself first in order to be able to leave a mark on the world!
Enjoy the upcoming holidays. I look forward to your emails and phone calls.
Lots of love
Norah
