A Very Happy New Year to all of you. May 2009 be a year of health, happiness, progress and many blessings to you and your family.
A Huge ‘thank you’ to all who have contributed for our December collection drive. In amongst the contributions, we received enough 2nd hand baby and maternity clothes to give to Sisters’ Incorporated in Kenilworth. They are one of the safe houses we use, assisting in establishing women and children removed from abusive situations after approximately 6 months at the home. The 2nd hand clothes and household items are used to allow these women and their children to start a new life away from violence. They also assist young girls who have opted to give their babies up for adoption.
Thank you to the following people who have contributed:
Jane and Sebastian
Dr Lara
Bronwyn
Marlene
Dimitra
Jo D.
Marijke and baby Annike
Heather and baby Matthew
Gill and baby Nina
Meg and baby Luke
Angela and baby Sophia
Lorette
Nikki
Sheena
Ingrid
Lisa
Heather M
Sharon
Michael
The Anonymous People from The New Beginnings Clinic in Bergvliet
It is very difficult for me to put into words the positive effect that your generosity and that of those who have given in the past, has on the people I meet at the clinic. In most instances, the new baby clothes are the only new baby clothes they will ever give their children.
The food from the pantry also feed the Kangaroo moms. They are there sometimes for 10 days waiting for their premature and underweight babies to gain the 2.2kg weight mark before they can go home. They do not leave due to the fact that they have to hold their babies with them at all times – carry them like Kangaroos. This is the only way that the babies thrive and grow. They are assured one solid meal a day thanks to the pantry.
Christmas Day …
I went through to the clinic at 9.00 am on Christmas day and found 5 babies born that morning; one mom was in agonising labour at the time of my arrival. Two moms arrived later on and gave birth in the late afternoon.
Thanks to Marijke, Heather, Gill, Angela and Meg for providing fantastic Mom and baby packs which they put together instead of buying one another gifts for Christmas. These were handed to the moms who were at the clinic on Christmas morning. In addition to the 6 early births, 2 other children were born and they too were given special Christmas mom and baby gift packs.
Born on Christmas day were:
A boy – 1940 grams to Thandai
A girl – 2660 grams to Yolanda
Stonique [girl] – 2880 grams to Stania
A boy – 1940 grams – to Catherine
A girl – 3260 grams – to Shirleen
Luke [boy] – 2960 grams – to Angeline
A Boy - 2500 grams – to Tracey
A Boy – 2500 grams – to Colleen
The youngest mom was 15 and the oldest one, 21 years old.
A Record month of births at the clinic…
The average amount of babies born at the clinic is 200 per month. There were 229 births in December 2008.
I am unable to tell you the amount of boy-to-girl ratio.
Unwanted Household items…
I have mentioned Sisters’ Incorporated earlier. They are one of the safe houses [there are 8] and baby houses that we utilise for our clients. Should you have any unwanted, working household electrical appliances, linen, curtains, or good second hand clothes for women and children/babies – please let me know and I will collect them from your house and deliver to the safe house or baby house where they can use it. I would just like to ask that you ensure that all clothing is washed.
Pass on the message… spread the word…
The more people we get involved with The Zoe Project, the more people we are able to help. Please pass on our message to as many of your friends and colleagues as possible.
Should you require brochures to hand out, please contact me and I will print them for you and deliver them to you.
All the updates and news is also available on our blogspot: http://www.thezoeproject.blogspot.com/
Contact me…
Information Empowers! People need to form a visual picture of what the Zoe Project is about. Unfortunately, we are prohibited in terms of taking photographs of the clinic. I am available at any time to answer any questions about our project should you wish to phone or email me. Please also give out these details to your contacts.
I will contact you again within the last 10 days of January to let you know about collection week.
Again, I would like to say how much your contribution and efforts are appreciated.
Take care and lots of love
Norah
norah@xsinet.co.za
