December 2009 Update and Thank You!!!

Hello Everybody
   A very happy festive season to you all. I trust you’ve had an excellent Christmas and hope the rest of this year will be joyous to you and your families.

Thank you to the following contributors…
   Alison Roberts, Arlene Johansson, Dimitra Kotsopolous, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Frenske Otzen, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Jo Dix, Lorette and Juliette Garnett, Nicki and Mia Stock, Nikki Andrew, Antoinette and Claud Denis, Sandy Schuurman, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena and Roly Hutchings, Tracey and Sean Fraser, Thea Athina and Thea Vessie Kotsopolous, Rene, Joshua and Liam Grimmbacher, Donna Cobban and Luc Michot, Michael P., Anna Johansson, Kirsten Hopwood, Annette Cowley-Nel, Jonathan Ackerman, Melica McCrae, Yolanda Parry, Suzanne Kilpin and the Constantia ladies’ gardening club, Counselor Denis and Harriet Joseph, the DA Ladies’ Committee, Nurith Henderson and Gary from IVODENT Dental Supplies, Mr Seever and the Mount Nelson Hotel, the anonymous parents at Monterey Pre-Primary School and the Anonymous Friends at the New Beginnings Clinic.

   I’d like to mention the very special staff at Retreat Maternity Clinic and the wonderful work they do – they are a team of dedicated individuals who only have the best interest of their patients at heart. Thank you all for a wonderful year!

these are our Christmas Babies ...

Births at the clinic…
   I went to the clinic yesterday as is usual on Christmas day and there were 2 women in labour – through their pain they were competing to see who’s baby would be born first on Christmas day.
   I haven’t got the full total for the month of December, but as of yesterday there were 167 babies born, 75 of them were boys and 92 girls.

more of our Christmas babies...

What we have accomplished this year…

   I wanted to send out a lengthy newsletter about all the great accomplishments this year, but I feel that going into every aspect in detail would create at least a 3 page document.

I would just like, in point form to show you what we have done with your help…

Dry goods pantry – continued support of food to all the moms
Moms and Baby Packs – we’re still only giving 20 a month, but for someone who has nothing, this is gold.
Adoptions – 75% of children adopted from SA internationally are born at the Retreat clinic. We continue to counsel young mothers about the adoption options.
Counseling – we have 2 counselors and have recently acquired the pro bono services of a psychologist who sees to the multitude of needs and education of the staff.
Domestic violence – we continue to remove girls and moms with their babies from violent and abusive situations at home, placing them in the various safe houses we use.
Drug counseling – we are in contact with drug centres who assist in counseling and rehabilitation.
Clothing – for women and children. The ongoing support from you guys to the children’s homes and safe houses.
Used, but working electrical appliances – for second stage housing at safe houses.

  There are so many aspects surrounding the Zoe Project, and all is successful. We are growing and becoming stronger, but still taking every day as it comes.

Thank you to you all for you wonderful support for the Zoe Project.

Information Empowers!
fighting the war against child sexual abuse because every child matters...

What a year! We have also accomplished so much.

   First I’d like to say thank you to all of you for your support with the Kids2Kids project. I have sent out the thank you pamphlet and therefore won’t attach it here. If you haven’t seen it, please visit the website at http://www.informationempowers.org.za/

A Couple of pictures about our Kids2Kids (c) 2009 Drive...

Thank you for your support and recommendations with the workshops and workbooks.
   Our workshops are taking off at a tremendous rate – next year will be a very busy one indeed. The workbooks are being distributed and used throughout the Western Cape and we endeavour to have it as part of the curriculum at schools.

   The Smart Kids’ Kit © [Identity Profile Kit for Children] has been distributed far and wide – we have had it featured in the Cape Times and the National Spokesperson for SAPS have recently recommended that all children acquire an identity profiling kit. We are the first organisation to offer it to the public free of charge!

  We have had interviews on radio and the feedback from that has been tremendous. It makes it worthwhile doing this work about child sexual abuse, knowing that it is helping someone somewhere.

   Our website – after many errors and technical difficulties, our website is up and running and interactive. Please have a look at http://www.informationempowers.org.za/

   The blogspot has updated news reports and we welcome opinions… http://www.informationempowers.blogspot.com/

   A busy year and I must say that for a couple of days, I will be taking a much deserved break with my gorgeous family.

    I’ll be in touch in January 2010, ready for another year and I know that we will continue to grow and continue to help those who are in dire situations. With your continued support, we know that we can only help more people. Thank you and Well done!

Lots of love as always and all the best for 2010.

Norah Papanicolaou



Director - Information Empowers!
Fighting the war against child sexual abuse because every child matters
And for The Zoe Project
http://www.informationempowers.org.za/

Update November 2009 by Norah Papanicolaou

Hello everybody
   Again, I am so wowed by the incredible response and encouraging feedback received from all of you and people I don’t even know.

Thank you to the following contributors…
   Alison Roberts, Anna Johansson, Dimitra Kotsopolous, Thea Athina Kotsopolous, Thea Vessie Kotsopolous, Dr Lara Smith, Marlene Helfrecht, Bronwyn Hopwood, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Jo Dix, Lorette Garnett, Nikki Andrew, Antoinette Dennis, Sandy Schuurman, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena Hutchings, Yolanda Parry, Rene Grimmbacher, Liam Grimmbacher, Samuel Grimmbacher, Donna Cobban, Luc Michot, Michael P., Kirsten Hopwood, Annette Cowley-Nel, Johnathan Ackerman, Melica McCrae, Ruby Passet-Gradwell, Denis and Harriet Joseph, The Ladies from the DA Women’s committee, Anonymous friends at the New Beginnings clinic, anonymous parents from Monterey Pre-Primary School………..

I would like to say a special thank you for all the wonderful clothes received for children and women this month. The clothing for the children are so welcomed – the sponsors of 2 children’s homes have withdrawn their clothing donations and the children and young ladies at the homes are very, very grateful for the items received. Well done and thank you!

Births at the clinic in November…
   There were 199 births in November and 91 of those were boys. Again being in Cape Town, more girls than boys born.
   Attached is a photo of a little girl born on 1 December at 10h21. She weighed 3.05kg. Gorgeous and healthy.

The pantry…
   The pantry needs have again been filled and the food is still being monitored by either the sister on duty at night or the midwife on duty at night.

Mom and Baby Packs…
   We have received the most beautiful mom and baby packs – thanks to all of you. I will be going through to the clinic on Christmas morning as usual, to hand out special Christmas baby and mom packs. Photographs will appear on the blogspot after Christmas.

Zoe Sports Day…
   I will post some photographs of our sports day a bit later on the blogspot for you to view. Eight teams took part in the ‘mini-tournament’ and all had a great time despite the cold and rainy weather. The money raised at the sports day will go towards a special Staff day for the personnel who work at the clinic. A huge thank you to all the individuals and families who came to watch. It isn’t always about winning but about support and encouragement. This means a lot to all of us, but especially the staff at the clinic.

Zoe goes International…
   A couple of months ago I mentioned that a USA based radio station has taken on the Zoe Project as a pilot project in the states. I am happy to report that currently the “Zoe project mom and baby packs” are being given to hospitals with less-privileged patients in America and Mexico. They are calling it the “Zoe Sacks”. The same principle applies – those moms who are in desperate situations receive something new for the newborns and receive a mom’s pack for themselves. They too, have to leave the hospital or clinic a couple of hours after giving birth. We are very excited that our concept and name has gone international and that others overseas are also being helped in the same way people are here.

Goodbye…
   We are saying goodbye to Bethany this month. Bethany counseled at the clinic on a Friday and has been for the last 8 months. Bethany’s main focus is going to be the “baby-safe” project, which is in Fish Hoek. Babies who are abandoned are placed in a safe which was designed by an American Engineer. Once the weight of the baby touches a pad under the blanket, it sends an alarm signal to ADT and 3 people who are in close proximity to the safe. We wish Bethany well and say thank you for your wonderful contribution to the Zoe Project.

Hello…
   We now have our own resident psychologist, Alison Breen. Alison’s main focus will be for the staff. She’ll attend the clinic once a month to start with and will conduct group-sessions with the staff at first – mostly information sessions to assist them in helping patients. Welcome Alison.

   We also have a permanent Dullah – I’ve been asking you guys to join if you have time. But Portia works every Tuesday. Portia helps as a birthing assistant and she has managed to make the work of the nursing staff so much lighter. Welcome Portia.

Information Empowers and Kids2Kids…
   I will send out a notice about the happenings and events of Information Empowers! next week. I don’t want to run ahead of myself with this. We are currently in the middle of a huge project which is dear to my heart and is proving to be very successful.

   School holidays are upon us. please drive carefully and look after yourselves.

I will be doing a collection week in December and I know that most of you will probably be away on holiday. If you’d like, we can arrange to collect items for the pantry and the mom and baby packs earlier – please just let me know what would suit you.

Take care and lots of love

Norah Papanicolaou
Director - Information Empowers!
because every child matters
and for the Zoe Project
http://www.informationempowers.org.za/
norah@xsinet.co.za