Update June 2010

Hello Everybody


June has been a very exciting month with the World Cup which my family and I have been following with much enthusiasm. Needless to say, we have now started supporting the underdogs due to the fact that our original teams didn’t make the finals.But that is just the way of life and we wish the remaining teams well!
  
   If you haven’t yet done so, the fanwalk is an experience to have – even if you’re not into soccer or haven’t got tickets for the game, I encourage you to walk the 2,5km to the stadium and back and just experience the GEES!

Thank you to the following contributors:
   Arlene Johansson, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena Hutchings, Ingrid Rix, Michael P., Donna Cobban, Luc Michot, Anna Johansson, Ruby Passet-Gradwell, Yolanda Parry, Roz Hoek, Nikki Haywood, Lou van Selm, Theas Bessie and Athina Kotsopolous, Jenny Morkel, Elaine Aquadro, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Lesley Edkins, Fran, Ros Leigh, Pam Cable, Annette Milner, Michelle Schneider and all the women At Curves in Westlake Business Park, Liz Brunette, Jenni Arendorf from Place of Hope, Anonymous friends from Monterey Pre-School, And anonymous friends from the New Beginnings Clinic in Meadowridge.

   As you know, the second hand clothing and household items we receive go to places of safety and/or children’s homes. There was a devastating fire in Hout Bay on 14th June and we were able to assist in donating, through word of mouth and with the kind donation from the clients and management, Michelle Schneider and staff at Curves in Westlake Business Park, much needed clothing. All the items are distributed by disaster management and the management of informal settlements. Thank you to everyone who contributed – I do not have your names, but know that many families were aided. Thank you also to Liz Brunette and Sheena Hutchings for assisting in putting the right people together.

Babies born:
There were 190 babies born during June at the clinic. 96 were boys and 94 girls.

   I am often devastated when I find that the age of the mothers are 15 or 16 years old – one can only sympathise with this because in my mind, no 15 or 16 year old has planned that pregnancy.
I understand that the law and constitution allows for children from the age of 12 to have access to contraceptives as well as have abortions without parental consent, but I still question that somewhere along the line these pregnant young girls are not always getting the help they need. It is a very sad and desperate reality in our country.

Mom and baby packs
   We have had wonderful support for items for mom and baby packs. Unfortunately, we still fall short on panties. The panties are included in the Mom packs, but often the women in labour only require a panty.

We are also short of baby grows – unfortunately the amount we receive per month is not enough to cover the need.

Dry goods pantry
   The pantry is going really well and with the addition of 3 people making soup, our freezer has remained full this past month.

The Zoe Project’s international connections:
   Tracey has informed me that the Zoe Project in Mexico [which has been going for about 18 months now] are having their first conference. I am jealous! But very pleased that the Zoe Sacks [mom and baby packs] as they call them, are doing well and that our humble project
has reached international shores.

We will be registering as an NGO and will keep you updated as to what that means for us.

67 minutes on Mandela day
   Sunday, 18th July is recognised as Mandela Day. We have been participating in a number of projects with other NGO’s and community based organisations
And people who have formed groups to do something for 67 minutes on this day for someone who is in need.

I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I would like to encourage you to find a cause and spend 67 minutes in aid of someone in need on this day. It is an enriching and humbling experience.

Please let me know what you plan to do, and enjoy the day.

Support structures
   I’ve said this before – we continue to grow because of the wonderful support and encouragement we receive from all of you.

   It is vital that any person or organisation or group of people form support structures with like-minded people who understand that doing what they do is for the greater good.

Thank you for the support and encouragement.

   We also cannot do what we do at the Zoe Project without knowledge and continued personal growth and continued information.
It is easy to say that one can counsel another, but without the correct information [practical and emotional/psychological], one cannot really help another.

   We are in a privileged situation that we have the right back up and the right information to impart on the clients we see. Thank you to the many nameless people who contribute their methods of best practice as well as assisting us to do our work well.

   Without the experience of the volunteers and counselors we would not be able to help as many as we do.
I wish you all well – enjoy the last days of the holidays and the soccer.

Stay warm and much love

Norah Papanicolaou