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/
1 comment:
I am moved that you are working so hard to support mom's and their children! I like that your slogan is that information is empowerment. Do you counsel women on the grief and ptsd that adoptees and biological parents feel if adoption is chosen? It looks like you'r doing a lot of amazing things, this sometimes gets left out. It's always noble to save your child from disease, death, and malnutrition... but I really hope that your services are able to help more women keep their children and not feel forced to place their child if they want their child to survive.
Thanks for working so hard at what you're doing !
-rox
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