There is always light at the end of every dark tunnel, we just sometimes need to find it!
This year is almost over. We are in the first week of November and my children and family are already talking about the Christmas holidays! I must remind myself every day to pace myself, otherwise the hours will run away from me.
I hope the proximity of the end of the year is a relaxed one for you.
Thank you to the following contributors:
Arlene Johannson, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Kaye Longman, Sandy Schuurmans, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Michael P., Donna Cobban, Luc Michot, Anna Johannson, Yolanda and Allan Parry, Collyeen Sinclair and Dr Ian Sinclair, Bessie and Athina Kotsiopolous, Elaine Aquadro, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Annette Milner, Elizabeth, Lara and Ross, Salome Coetzee, Lesley Edkins, Fran, Dai Davies, Vyv Deacon, Anonymous friends from New Beginnings clinic in Bergvliet, Anonymous friends from Monterey Pre-Primary School and Rotary International.
Babies born in October 2010:
There were 88 girls and 79 boys born during October. Two sets of twins among them. As explained in a previous email, twins are not usually born at the clinic, but well done to the staff and Dullahs who assisted. You are doing fantastic work! Seventeen girls under the age of 17 gave birth during October 2010. We are hoping for a decrease in figures here.
I would like to add that it is humbling for everyone involved in volunteering at Retreat MOU. The instances where children are given up for adoption especially, is emotional for all involved.
Our volunteers are sometimes caught off guard because a young girl may come in, claiming not to know that she was pregnant due to the denial of being raped. The baby is given up for adoption through legal channels and is immediately removed by a social worker and taken to a foster parent. But the young girl who has just given birth – her life will be changed forever. Not only because of the adoption, or the rape, but also because of the encounter with a volunteer from the Zoe Project.
It changes the perspective and the hopeless view this girl may have had to one where life seems hopeful. And at the same time, the life and experience of the volunteer is changed too. I cannot stress how much the time and love you exert is appreciated.
Counseling for these young women is ongoing. We are constantly reminded of how precious life is and to appreciate everything that comes our way.
Mom and Baby packs:
Thank you again for the beautiful products received for the mom and baby packs. We are still in desperate need of size medium, new panties for the moms.
Regarding second hand clothing:
I am not in a position right now to receive any more 2nd hand clothing, but will be again next year. Please either keep the clothing or take it to your nearest safe house or baby home. If you need contact details, please call or email me.
Medical Equipment received in September:
Thank you so much to Dr Ian Sinclair who put us in contact with Rotary International. They have provided much needed medical equipment for the Retreat maternity unit: over 5000 lancets [to prick the baby’s heels], follie’s catheters, surgical gloves and automatic blood pressure cuffs were among the items received. It is worth gold and has made such a huge difference to the staff and patients. Dai Davies and Vyv Deacon were present at the hand-over to Tracey Aitken and Yolanda Parry and sister Lynda Smith.
Vyv Deacon, Tracey Aitken, Yolanda Parry, sister Lynda Smith and Dai Davies.
{photo by Allan Parry}
We have also received endoscopes which Yolanda has taken to Victoria Hospital where it will be put to good use.SAPS and Victim Empowerment Groups and Trauma Rooms
The subject discussed below is very difficult for people to even consider, but I would like to put out an appeal to each of you to consider preparing a KIT for one rape victim, and deliver it to your closest SAPS office.
The first call for any rape victim is often a police station.
The reason I’m appealing for this is that the SAPS Trauma rooms that I have spoken to are in desperate need of these rape kits. If you live in an area where the trauma rooms have enough prepared rape kits,
the counselors in conjunction with Community Policing Forum members pass it on to those areas where there is a shortfall of kits or a high rape incident rate.
A kit for rape victims consists of the following:
For an adult:
Panties, sanitary pads, deodorant [spray or roll-on], soap, face cloth, disinfectant hand wash, toothbrush and toothpaste, a t-shirt, a hand-towel.
For children:
Broken down into the following age-groups
0-2 year olds: nappies, a soft toy, a blanket, a baby bottle and/or a dummy, a clean set of clothing.
3-8 year olds: underpants or panties, a clean set of clothing [unisex], soap, facecloth, mouthwash, size small pads or panty liners, a blanket and a cuddly toy, a sweetie or chocolate and a juice.
8-12 year olds: the same as for 3-8 year olds, but larger clothing, a note book and pen, colouring book and pencils.
These rape victim kits assist the police and trauma counselors in giving the rape victim, adult or child, a less traumatic experience when reporting the rape.
If we can change the course of one person’s life to something positive, we have achieved a lot.
I hope you will all stay well and enjoy the summer that is slowly sneaking in.
Thank you again for all that you do.
With love as always
Norah Papanicolaou
