The Zoe Project Update June - July 2011

Hello Everybody

Thank you to everybody for the messages of well-wishes since our last newsletter. While I may not have sent out an email appealing for items, we have had many people contact us with very generous donations. Each item received, no matter how big or small has been put to use and is so much appreciated.

Thank you to the following contributors:

Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Rene Grimmbacher, Michael P., Arlene Johansson, Anna Johansson, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sandy Schuurmans, Annette Milner, Pam Cable, Diane Maw, Sue Lotouf, Ronelle Van Rooyen, Jenne McIver, Gillian Everdij, Fiona Boyd, Janine Taylor, Gillian Key, Leisha Davies, Shelly Hindmarch [JDI], Tracy Le Roux [JDI], Genevieve Le Cordeur, Julie Bird, Deanne Gordon, The Mount Nelson Hotel, Nompilo Ndlovo from the Wheat Trust, Newlands Lions, Rene Sale, Val Turner, Constantia Garden Club, Gary Kruger from Pick ‘n Pay Steenberg, Heather Booysen and pupils from Claddagh dance Studio, Christel Swart, Dr Leaver and our Anonymous friends from the New Beginnings clinic.

A special thank you and mention to Diane, Sue, Ronelle, Jenny, Gillian, Fiona, Janine, Gillian K, Leisha, shelly, Tracy, Genevieve, Julie and Deanne for your very generous donation of 40 mom and baby packs and the food for the dry goods pantry, and the hard work getting everything together. It was overwhelming for me to collect the items from you, Diane and to see just how much love and effort went into everything you ladies did. I know the moms and babies who will receive these items will be overjoyed! Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

To Pam Cable and your group of friends – thank you for the lovely knitted items. Again, they are treasured and especially since they’re hand-made by you.

To Annette Milner and the Pregnancy Crises Centre in Muizenberg who has had to close down recently, thank you for sharing with us. You know the work we do and just how much each bit is appreciated.

Nompilo Ndlove from the Wheat Trust – thank you for the toiletries and baby soft toys.

The Lions Club of Newlands, Val Turner – we have been receiving fresh food items from them the last 3 weeks and the fresh vegetables are used in our soups.

Rene Sale and friends – thanks for the washed and ironed and sorted clothing.

Constantia Garden Club for your donation of baby grows.

Gary Kruger from Pick ‘n Pay Steenberg – thank you for the boxes of food and toiletries.

Heather Booysen and pupils from the Claddagh Dance Studio for the donation of blankets, and Christel Swart for the huge donation of baby goods.

As you know, it is not possible for me to write individual thank you notes to every contributor and this newsletter which is sent far and wide, is actually a tribute and a thank you to all our contributors as well as an update. This newsletter has singled out a few of our contributors but every single contribution is valued by us and every single person or group who has contributed, is appreciated.

Thank you all for making a difference in the lives of so many people!

News from the clinic:

We have had 3 adoptions in the last month and we’re happy to say that both the biological moms, babies and adoptive parents are doing very well.

Babies Born:

I do not have a figure of babies born for the last 2 months. The average amount of births is ± 200 babies per month with usually boys outnumbering girls.

Woman’s Day:

We have just celebrated Woman’s Day on the 9th August. Women are the people who drive the world and make things happen. Someone once told me about the ‘international sisterhood’ – not a registered organisation, but rather a recognition, internationally of the difficulties women face but also the strength they have of overcoming most difficulties; and of helping one another. I guess you are all part of this recognised international sisterhood!

Second hand clothing and linen items:

The items in the mom and baby packs are only brand new items. As I have mentioned in the past, we work with safe houses and baby houses who help some of our ladies from domestic abusive situations and help with adoptions of our babies. The items of second hand clothing and linen, etc is given to them to help start up these women and children who have nothing when they leave these domestic violent situations. Any 2nd hand and used clothing that we receive, along with bedding, curtains and other linen is therefore given to them. In addition to this, we have a person working in Masiphumelele, assisting families who have nothing or have lost everything. Some of our items go there too.

The need is great. And it is difficult to help absolutely everybody, but we remain focused and ensure that all goods go to those who need it most.

Please feel free to contact me to collect for the Zoe Project, or should you have any queries, please email me.

As always, lots of love

Norah Papanicolaou

The Zoe Project Update May - June 2011

Hi Everybody

Since my last newsletter, much has happened on the Zoe Project.

I would like to start off by saying that we have completed our Section 21 registration forms and await our registration number!

We have had our first executive meeting and our members and executive team are:
Tracey Aitken, Norah Papanicolaou, Marian Clemitson, Claire Adams and members are Penny Beer, Yolanda Parry, Pam Cuff, Charles Daniels and June Leonard.

We will continue to fulfill the vision and goals of the Zoe Project as before and I trust with all the documentation and duties in place will be more effective.

Thank you to the following contributors:

Arlene Johansson, Nicki Stock, Mary Johnson, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Michael P., Anna Johansson, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Annette Milner, Heather Booysen and the pupils from the Claddagh dance studio, Christel Swart, and our many anonymous friends from the New Beginnings Baby Clinic in Meadowridge.

Babies born in April

Girls 111 and boys, 75. There were 16 babies born to moms who are 18 years old and under.

Products for the mom and baby packs

We are in desperate need of all the items for mom packs and for the baby packs we just don’t have any baby grows, vests or receiving blankets. These items make up the 20 of each mom and baby packs that we have committed to give at the clinic each month. Our mom and baby packs go only to the most needy moms.

Products for the pantry

We are still receiving out 40 punnets of soup each month and we continue to buy bread, jam and peanut butter to fill the fresh items. We have only received a small amount of dry goods [2minute noodles, soups, pasta and rice and tinned food] and these items were used within the first week of delivery. We desperately would like to continue with our dry goods pantry, but can only do so with your continued support.

Desperate Appeal

The house of 2 children and their parents burnt down last week. They are situated in Hout Bay and attend a local primary school in the Southern Suburbs. They lost everything and I’m assisting the school where they attend in attaining clothing, bedding and shoes for all 4 people of this family. The most desperate items required are materials for a roof over their heads. I would like to ask if anyone out there can help with rebuilding these people’s lives. Please contact me at email address to discuss how you can help.

We need the following building materials:
Zinc 10” [any quantity – no amount is too little]
Door frames x 3
Door handles x 3
Any other items required with which to build a house
I also have a list of clothing and shoe sizes – please let me know if you’d like a copy.

I hope to hear from all of you soon and I wish you much love

As always

Norah Papanicolaou

The Zoe Project Update March and April 2011

Hello Everybody

Thank you for being patient with me with regard to our email updates. I will be sending out an email every 2 months from now on.

Thank you to our contributors:

Ingrid Rix, Arlene Johansson, Anna Johansson, Denise and Willem van Bergen, Sharon Wewege and Heather Milne and our anonymous friends at New Beginnings Clinic.

Dry goods pantry:

We have not received food for the dry goods pantry in the last 3 months and it has been sorely missed by all the moms at the clinic. We have been buying bread and bare necessities every week to fill in the little bit of food [one dry Provita and a cup of tea a day] that the government gives to feed the moms.

Mom and Baby packs:

We are still in desperate need of all the items for the mom and baby packs. Please let me know if you can assist here.

We can make a small difference, and we do. We will continue to work at the Retreat maternity clinic as we have in the past. At present I am sure everyone is feeling the pinch and we are confident that things for our moms and babies will pick up.

Congratulations to Yolanda Parry:

Yolanda was nominated and won the “Rotary Woman of the Year 2011 award” for her work done at the clinic. Yolanda has been with us for a year now and her work every Tuesday is so valuable to the moms who come into contact with her during labour and afterwards. Congratulations, Yolanda! You deserve the accolade.

Making a personal difference:

The election on the 18th May is so close and I hope you have all registered to vote and that you will make your vote count. Only by voting can one have a say in how the government is run and enforce small changes in the country.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter and holiday week. Back to work tomorrow and back to school for the children.

Stay safe and love as always,


Norah Papanicolaou