4 FEBRUARY 2009 UPDATE – THE ZOE PROJECT AND INFORMATION EMPOWERS.
Hello everyone
A great ‘thank you’ to all who have contributed in our collection drive last week. A couple of people have asked me if there was anything more that they could do. I do understand that it sometimes feels like you are just giving, and that you’d like to do more. Believe me, the “behind the scenes” work that you do and contribute to is phenomenal and it does make a difference!
I would like to thank the following people who have contributed this month:
Arlene J, Dr Lara S, Marlene H, Bronwyn H, Jane and Sebastian D, Lisa S., Lorette G, Nicki S., Sandy S., Colleen W, Jason C, Dr Sandy C, Heather M, Sharon W.
Births this month…
There were 187 births at the Clinic during January 2009 – quite a low number this month as the average being around 200.
Good news…
We have been able to start up the computer training centre at Sisters’ Incorporated, Kenilworth thanks to the donation of 2 printers [thank you Jane and Sebastian], and a full-house computer [thank you Jason and Sandy]. This will enable the women who live there, who have no computer skills, to learn how to use a computer with all the programs properly. This would help them to learn a new skill, go out and find work in an office, instead of working as domestic workers. They now have a better chance of maintaining themselves and their children when starting their new lives away from the safehouse.
One of the printers was given to the Retreat Maternity Clinic to be used in the labour ward.
Should there be anyone out there with a computer that they cannot use, please contact me – it will be put to good use.
Counseling…
A number of the young moms who give birth at the clinic are drug and/or alcohol dependant. This is a huge problem which goes along with poverty, gangs, the sense of hopelessness and everything else that goes together with substance abuse. And it has a negative effect on the children that they bare, and creates further social and economic problems in an already vicious circle.
The counselors at the clinic are not entirely equipped to deal with specifically, drug counseling. We endeavour to undergo training for 10 people in the next couple of weeks to help assist these people in need. A rehabilitation centre in Goodwood has agreed to help us with this. And it is great news, because we will be able to help more people overcome their addiction and face life in the real world.
Information Empowers Project…because every child counts!
I have been working during the last 4 to 5 years on a project which is something about which I feel very passionate, and it will still take some time to totally “get there”. The number of children being abducted, raped and murdered in our country has become page 7 news in our daily newspapers. People need information and phase 1 of the information empowers project is developing a brochure or leaflet in conjunction with Childline, Western Cape.
The brochure is titled: “What to do when you know or suspect that your child has been sexually abused or assaulted”. The brochure will cover this information, as well as give signs and symptoms of abuse. It is currently with Childline for edit and approval.
Phase 2 of this project is informing children and parents about dangerous situations and identifying potentially dangerous behaviour in people who may harm your child.
I know you’ve all just gone cold. Rape/sexual assault and abuse is the worst thing that could happen to anybody. I felt the need to do the research on this because, in a more privileged community, people are equipped to deal with the practicalities of such an atrocious event. But in the Cape Flats and the shanty towns of the Western Cape [and I’m sure the remote parts of rest of the country], people are not always sure of what they can do, how to do it, or whom to approach first.
I have mentioned that I am in need of a Xhosa translator as the brochure will go out in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa – please keep me in mind if you know of anybody who would be able to do the translation for me at no cost.
The aim is to distribute the brochure and then, subsequent material on child safety and educating parents and children on how to be safe, to the following areas in Cape Town: Bishop Lavis, Steenberg, Hanover Park, Bonteheuwel, Manenberg, Elsies River, Langa, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Crossroads, Delft, Phillipi, Blue Downs, Macassar, Kuils River. The idea is to distribute from day hospitals, clinics, community centres, pre-schools, schools, crèches, churches and police stations.
There are more phases to this project and I will update you on developments as they happen. I believe that it will make a difference and who knows where this will end up. I believe that there are people in the country who have become blasé about the issue and it needs to be put into the forefront of people’s minds. And specifically because they may tell themselves that it won’t happen to them, we need to face this epidemic head-on!
Pass on the message…
If you haven’t done so yet, please pass this information and my contact details on to your friends, colleagues and associates. The more people who know, the more people can help!
Please phone or email me should you need any information on either the Zoe Project or the information empowers project. I am always available to help.
Keep up the good work, thank you and lots of love
Norah
norah@xsinet.co.za
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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