Hello Everybody
May month is here and it has been a bit of a bumpy ride trying to make up all the days of holiday during April.
Thank you so much to the following contributors…
Arlene J, Jane and Sebastian D, Lorette G, Sandy S, Sharon W, Heather M, Ingrid R, Dr Lara S,
Bronwyn H, Marlene H, Rene G, Donna C, Michael P, Tamlin and Benjamin B, Claudine G, Anna J, Kirsten H, Annette C-N, Johnathan A, Jo D, The Anonymous Parents At Monterey Pre-Primary, The Anonymous Friends at the New Beginnings Baby Clinic.
Thank you for the contributions – you have made the difference in the lives of people who don’t have much and who are going through really tough times… for example:
The 17 year old having her 2nd child by her own father – both kids removed and given up for adoption
The heroin addicted, 16 year old who lay with labour pains in a semi-comatose state
The mother who decides to give her 4th child up for adoption because she cannot afford another and her husband is on tik and she desperately
wants something better for her new baby
The 12 year old who was raped by the ‘uncle down the road’ – whose child is given up for adoption and for whom ongoing counseling is given
The fetal alcohol syndrome babies born to moms who are alcohol dependant, and who have nowhere else to go to give birth
The mom who cannot feed another child and knows that giving it up for adoption gives that child a chance in life
The countless beautiful babies born perfect and imperfect in the eyes of society – those whose lives are difficult in ways you and I cannot imagine…
I thank you on their behalf and would like to say to you all – well done!!! You are helping someone in some small way.
[I would like to add that the examples mentioned above are all getting professional help from people in the various medical and psychological fields.]
Births at the clinic …
There were 208 babies born at the Retreat Maternity Clinic in the month of April. I am still not able to give you a breakdown of
boy to girl ratio, but I have noticed that on the days I am there, there are usually more boys than girls in the ward.
Unwanted Household items…
Should you have any unwanted, working household electrical appliances, linen, curtains or good second hand clothing for women and children/babies – please let me know and I will collect them from you. These will all go to the many baby houses and safe houses that we use. One request though, please ensure that all clothing is washed and clean.
Pass on the message – spread the word…
Please continue passing on my emails to your friends and colleagues – it really helps. A lot of people who may not be able to contribute, know of others who can.
I am available to answer questions, via email or telephone. My contact details are at the bottom of each email.
Information Empowers!….
I am proud to say that I have launched the information empowers project at the Freedom Day march in Delft, on 27th April.
Thousands of people and NGO’s and NPO’s and organisations showed up to support the fight against child sexual abuse.
It was humbling walking with people from the community of Delft and hearing about the situation, particularly there.
There are many ordinary people in this specific community who do wonderful work – they just need more help.
Delft is one in many communities where this epidemic is real.
So far, I have written and developed 3 brochures which are available in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. [3rd Brochure only in English and Afrikaans]. And there are still many in development, along with stories for children and workbooks.
Should you wish to get a copy of these brochures, please email me your snail mail address and I will post it to you.
And last, but not least, to all of you, a very Happy Mothers’ Day on Sunday.
Enjoy your children and enjoy your mothers.
Lots of love as always
Norah Papanicolaou
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