Update March - April 2012

Hello everybody


I trust that you’ve all had a great Easter or Passover! We have had a double-dose as Greek Easter fell on the weekend after Easter due to the difference in the Gregorian calendar. What a great time to spend special time and create moments with family and friends?

I would like to start this update by sharing a letter from one of the women who received counseling from Tracey at the Zoe Project. She writes about her life and states how the intervention and help has changed her life for the better...

Letter from Angela Reading*

“Well, this is a very, very short version of my life story.
I am Angela Reading *. I am 29 years old and I’ve got 4 children.

My life hasn’t been all blooming flowers due to the choices I have made.
I had a boyfriend whom I loved so much but he beat me, he abused me mentally and physically. I’ve got two children by him that he does not support at all. And for this reason I wanted to give my last baby away for adoption.
And that is how I met Tracey and heard of the Zoe Project.

My love for people made me allow them to walk all over me. Because I’m so easy to forgive, I fall into the same trop over and over again.


I came to the point where I had enough of everyone who used me.
While I was pregnant I had to walk out everyday and go from door to door to look for cleaning work. I had so much stress on me with my kids to support, a boyfriend who was on drugs and to top things, my boyfriend’s family only knew me when I had money. It was always about money – something I didn’t have.

All I had and worked for had to go for bills: the rent, the water, to buy food and for a shack that had more holes than I wish to count.


Well, I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I had enough. I was at the worst - I didn’t have the strength anymore.
Meeting Tracey made me see things more clearly than ever and in a completely different light. She showed me how it felt to be loved. She’s the one I look up to. She taught me to follow my dreams and the dream I had was to work with people.


So I started my own group. We discuss how we feel, what we went through. What our dreams are. What wrong choices we made and how to compare our lives.


We are a group of 20 young people. We pray, we hug, we cry. We talk about drug abuse, about being abused and what it feels like now, and what we can do to help each other.


This is what helps me and my friends to survive. I’ve got Tracey to thank for always believing in me and showing me the way.


We need to trust that we can overcome our situations. Thank you, Tracey for changing my life and for allowing me to find my potential.”

*Name has been changed to protect identity. The letter has been used with the permission of it’s author.

Thank you to the following contributors:

Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood and Marlene Helfrecht, Ada and Henk Timmerman, Sharon Wewege and Heather Mylne, Our anonymous friends at the New Beginnings Clinic, Michael P., Newlands Lions Club, Tania Bain, the late Dr Van Hoorn and his family, Lakeside Baptist Church, Allan Dillon and the Mountain Men, Samantha at Barksole in Tokai, Denise and Willem van Bergen and Rosemary van der Post.

Thank you for your continued support and contributions.

News from the clinic

Doula’s - We are fortunate to say that we have 2 new Doula’s who have joined the Zoe Project. Anne and Leigh work on different days at Retreat MOU. As I have mentioned before, the Doula’s play a very important role for the moms during labour - for the emotional support of the moms. Not just during labour, but also afterwards.

Awards – Now I know what you’re thinking when you see the word ‘awards’! No, we are not rewarding any member of the Zoe Committee, nor members of staff at the clinics, but rather a new concept for the clients whom we see in terms of counseling.

It is difficult to bare your soul to another person but through counseling, we have helped so many people. Tracey came up with the idea of giving an award each month to the person or persons whom have grown so much, are achieving good things in life, and have rediscovered who they are after going through our counseling programs.

The award is a small wooden plaque with a star on it, and on the award is engraved the name of the person and their ‘characteristic’ most explaining their achievement. For most of the people who receive the award, it would be their first.

Awards handed out so far:

January – “Teachable Spirit”. This was given to a mom and dad who are taking young boys who are tik addicts into their home and looking after them. Giving them a safe place to learn and grow and recover. The mom went through the Zoe counseling process and is using what she has learnt to help others.

February - “Clean for 48 Days”. A young mom who has been clean of tik for 48 days. She has indicated that once she’s gone through the program that she would like to start a support group for her young brother and some of his friends.

The look on the faces of the recipient is priceless. They realise that someone believes in them and the encouragement they receive, helps them see their dreams.

I would like to add that Samantha from Barksole in Tokai is the kind sponsor of the award as well as the engraving done on the award.

What we desperately need!

The Dry Goods Pantry
This pantry was started in Oct 2009 under the premises that, as long as we have donations, we will continue to stock it. Unfortunately, early last year, two of our major contributors decided to discontinue their contribution due to personal reasons. Due to this, we have been unable to give the amount of tinned food and other dried goods on a regular basis to the Retreat MOU kitchen. The reason we started the dry goods pantry was to fill-up on the shortfall that was provided to them. We would like to continue with the dry goods pantry and require the following items on a regular basis – tinned tomatoes, tinned meat and vegetables, 2 minute noodles, packet soups, rice and pasta.

Mom and baby packs
We are currently in desperate need of the following items – new baby grows and vests for newborns, receiving blankets and/or winter sheeting to make receiving blankets and small toys.

Maternity pads and juices for the mom packs as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes and panties [sized medium], lip-ice, deodorant, soap, facecloths and small packets of biscuits.

If you would like to contribute one or all of the abovementioned items, please contact me to discuss this.

On a personal note
Part of the work that I do, is to write – I write blogspots, brochures, workshops and workbooks. Should you require the use any of the information [part of or in its entirety] in this or other updates or from the blogspot, that you, as a professional courtesy to me, contact me to get permission before using it as it is copyright protected.  xxx
Thank you again so much for all the supporting emails and phone calls that we receive – it makes a difference to our lives too and we can pass messages on to the various staff members who work at the clinics and in the field.

Until next time, stay well.
Norah Papanicolaou

Update January - February 2012

Hello everybody


January has gone by so quickly and the phrase ‘hit the ground running’ sums up quite nicely, how it has been for me on this side! We are hardly out of the holiday spirit when we have to go back to work, sort out the kids and their schedules, sort out our own routines and just basically get on with it! I so love January – everybody has New Year’s resolutions [which, let’s face it, lasts for about 5 minutes], but everything is fresh [new school year and new friends] and it is a time to re-assess where we are and what we’re doing.

Simplicity is the buzz-word at present – keeping things simple and do-able and that way, we don’t set ourselves up for failure or disappointment!

I hope that 2012 will be a year filled with many new things for you, that you’ll be productive in whichever project you find yourself working, that the people who surround you will make you happy and that you know that you are loved!

Thank you to the following contributors:
Dr Lara Smith, Marlene Helfrecht, Bronwyn Hopwood, Salomy Coetzee, Sandy Schuurmans, Audrey Hugo, Michael P., Denise and Willem van Bergen, Rosemary van der Pas, the Ladies at the Constantia Gardeners’ Club, Tania Bain, The Newlands’ Lions, Ada and Henk Timmerman, Ingrid Rix, Collyeen Sinclair, Heather Mylne, Sharon Wewege, our friends at The New Beginnings Clinic in Meadowridge, Pamela Cable, Annette Milner, Arlene Holt, Anonymous friends, and staff at SAPS Wynberg.

Retreat MOU
During December there were 164 babies born – 60 boys and 74 girls. There were only 3 babies born on Christmas day [quite unusual as it is normally about 10] but the Zoe personnel who spent the day at the clinic said that they couldn’t have asked for a more special Christmas day. The beautiful Christmas baby and mom packs were handed out to those who delivered their babies on the day and they were overjoyed by this.

Hanover Park MOU
There were 9 babies born on Christmas day at Hanover Park and with this being the first year that the Zoe Project has handed out Christmas mom and baby packs, not only were the moms overjoyed, but the staff who worked on Christmas day was overwhelmed by the Christmas day gesture. All babies born are healthy and beautiful. We have a desperate need for a Doula in Hanover Park – please contact me if you can commit a full day with the mom and are able to stay until she gives birth and if you are interested in helping out.

Baby and Mom packs – new items
We had great support last year for products for mom and baby packs and we really hope that this year will be the same. We are currently in desperate need of the following items – new baby grows and vests for newborns, receiving blankets and/or winter sheeting to make receiving blankets and small toys; maternity pads and juices for the mom packs as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes and panties [sized medium].

Dry Goods Pantry at Retreat MOU
The dry goods pantry was started in Oct 2009 under the premises that, as long as we have donations, we will continue to stock it. Unfortunately, early last year, two of our major contributors decided to discontinue their contribution due to personal reasons. Due to this, we have been unable to give the amount of tinned food and other dried goods on a regular basis to the Retreat MOU kitchen. The reason we started the dry goods pantry was to fill-up on the shortfall that was provided to them. We would like to continue with the dry goods pantry and require the following items on a regular basis – tinned tomatoes, tinned meat and vegetables, 2 minute noodles, packet soups, rice and pasta.

If you would like to contribute one or all of the abovementioned items, please contact me to discuss.

We are still receiving home made soup which is frozen and used as needed. 40 Units for Retreat and we’re starting to give to Hanover Park too. The donation of food from the Food Bank is less than it used to be and due to this too, we would like to be able to fill up the dry goods pantry again.

Should you be in a position to offer any of the abovementioned items, please contact me to discuss delivery or collection.

Our vision for 2012 is to continue to reach out to the moms and babies who require counseling; we are planning a number of talks, mostly at schools and with women’s groups. Information about us spread through word-of-mouth and I would like to ask each of you to continue sending our updates to your friends and people whom you know could possibly help us.

Guardian Angels
The thought of spending your birthday alone and unnoticed is something that touches each of us. I am in the process of arranging a project called Guardian Angels for the St George’s Children’s home under the Information Empowers Banner. This would be that each of the 40 girls there [age ranging between 3 and 16] receive one special gift on their birthday. The idea is that my birthday is in June and I will buy a special gift for a child there whose birthday is either on my birthday or in the month of June.

This project will only work if we have the following:

40 people who absolutely commit to ‘adopting’ a child on her birthday [there are 40 children in the home].
Each person to buy one special gift for their ‘adopted’ child and for that person to personally deliver the gift to St George’s home for the child on her birthday.

I would like to just request that if you are interested to be part of this project, to send me an email in order for me to gauge interest. Unless all the children have one Guardian Angel, the project cannot go ahead. Please let me know your thoughts on this.

Second Hand clothing
Seasons are changing and we all ‘grow’ out of our clothing. Please remember us when you want to donate or throw out your clothing that you no longer use – adults and children!

Information Empowers on Facebook
Please join us on Facebook if you have a Facebook account, and please share on your wall in Facebook. The more people talking about Child Sexual Abuse and prevention, the more awareness will be created. The link is below.

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day today and as always, much love
Norah Papanicolaou

Update September 2010

Hello Everybody
It has been a really busy and difficult month for us but I’m happy to say that the worst is over, we are all well again and that hopefully soon, we can all get back on track and do what we need to do.


Thank you for all your well wishes and love and help.

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, Rene Grimmbacher, Liam and Sam Grimmbacher, Michael P., Donna Cobban, Luc Michot, Anna Johansson, Yolanda and Alan Parry, The DA Ladies Committee, Bessie and Athina Kotsiopolous, Jessica Midlane and baby Lucy, Helen Schick and baby Maia, Claire Surman and Baby Ellie, Catherine Orr and baby Benjamin, Cahterine Johnson and Baby Charlie, Jill Barker and baby Oscar, Kara Williams and baby Noah, Melissa Talbot and baby Evie, Rachel McCurrie and baby Hamish, Catherine Swindles and baby Neave, Elaine Aquadro, Willem and Denise van Bergen, Annette Milner, Tara Girdlestone, Our friends at the New Beginnings Clinic, and our friends from Monterey Pre-Primary School. If I have left any names out, please forgive me. There are just so many caring people out there who have contributed generously with products as well as time and expertise – thank you to each of you and know that you have made a difference in someone’s life.

Babies Born during September:
There were 206 babies born at the clinic in September; 94 boys and 112 girls.

I found it very surprising at the amount of new moms aged 40 +… there were at least 15 of them and I had to giggle to myself and ask if there was a power failure 9 months ago.

But jokes aside, there is still a large number of young girls giving birth and when asked, they all say that it is a planned pregnancy. The clinic saw twin boys born at the end of September – this is unusual as the twins are seen as a complicated birth and are normally sent to Groote Schuur hospital.

The largest baby weighed 4,554 grams.

 Mom and Baby packs:
We continue to receive the most beautiful NEW items for the mom and baby packs – thank you very much for this as we only give NEW items for these. We still have a shortfall of panties for all the moms who go to the clinic.

Dry Goods’ Pantry:
Yolanda Parry still continues to add to the pantry in terms of frozen soup – this is on top of the contribution of 20 frozen soups per month from another person. Fresh bread, jam and peanut butter is given weekly and this just adds to our existing pantry of noodles, packet soups, baked beans, tinned tomatoes, rice and pasta.

The government still only supplies one dry Provita and a cup of soup daily for each patient.

2nd hand baby clothes from UK:
Jessica Midlane and friends [noted above] collected clothing for safe houses and baby homes. We managed to get Rob Aquadro who works for Richard Branson’s Virgin Group of companies to transport free of charge, the goods via ship to Cape Town. We were awed by the response from everyone involved who helped to do this.
Reality set in and the goods could not be cleared through customs due to red tape. 2nd hand clothing is an item that cannot be imported as a donation. VAT and clearances needed to be paid – which were going to be waved, but unfortunately due to the fact that there were 15 nappies and 4 pairs of baby shoes in the consignment, another additional two permits were needed.
These could only be given once an 8 page document were completed in triplicate and sent to Pretoria; and in addition to this, a document from a registered NGO needed to be completed stating that we are not going to re-sell these items.

While all this was happening, the consignment was stored and the storage fee amounted to more than the value of the clothing – a couple of thousand rands.

 Due to this and the fact stated above, the goods have been moved to the State warehouse where one of the following things can happen:
It will be auctioned off. If not sold it may either be destroyed or the government can donate the goods to less fortunate.

We are investigating attending the auction in October some time.
This has been a harrowing experience for me as well as a huge learning curve for all involved.

Place of Hope
Numerous people have been paying a lot of attention to Place of Hope – one of the safe houses to where we send some of our moms and babies.
Thank you so much especially Suzelle and your group – the room make overs are valued more than you can imagine and the Pamper day is still spoken about.

Staff at the clinic
These are dedicated and hard-working women who are often affected by the patients they see daily. One cannot do this work without having amazing amounts of compassion for others.

Last month during a gang-shooting at the day hospital next door, they just continued working with this going on and police running around – that is dedication!

Dullah course
I have had a number of enquiries for this even as far away as Rustenberg. Please send me more emails and I will give you the details of the courses run for our Dullahs.

Soccer Day
Annually we have a soccer day in order to raise funds for a special day for the staff at the clinic. This usually happens in November and teams may enter at R20 per person.

It has proven to be a day of great fun and the funds are then taken and we have a team building day for all the staff who really value the fact that we do something special for them.

If you want to enter a soccer team and join us for this, please email me and I will send the details.

DA Ladies group
Councillor Denis Joseph and the DA Ladies’ Committee have visited both the MOU and Day hospital in the past month, distributing sandwiches and soup.

Thank you Denis and Harriet for what you do for the Retreat community.

Donations of 2nd hand clothing for women, men and children:
 At present I am still busy organising our house. As you know, we have moved recently and I still have to unpack and sort personal things, so I am going to ask that you hold on to the clothing that you’d like to donate for safe houses and children’s homes until such time that I say that I am collecting again.

Should you wish to, however, I can give a list of places to where you may take these items yourself.

Thank you again and I hope you’re all well and healthy.
Enjoy the spring blossoms and the occasional rain – summer will be here soon!
Lots of love always
Norah

Update August 2010

Hello Everybody

I trust you’re all well. It is almost school holidays again, and before we know it, Christmas!

Thank you to the following contributors:
Arlene Johansson, Dr Lara Smith, Marlene Helfrecht, Bronwyn Hopwood, Elize Johnson, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Sandy Schuurmans, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Ingrid Rix, Rene Grimmbacher, Michael P., Anna Johansson, Annette Cowley-Nel, Yolanda Parry, Denis and Harriet Joseph, The DA Ladies’ Committee, Bessie and Athina Kotsiopolous, Jessica Midlane, Rob Aquadro, Anonymous friends at the New Beginnings Clinic, Anonymous friends at Monterey Pre-Primary School, Willem and Denise van Bergen.

Babies Born during August:
There were 164 babies born during August – 76 girls and 88 boys. Quite a low number and unusual.

Mom and baby packs:
We continue to receive the most beautiful new clothing and blankets for the baby packs. I stress the word new because every little item has been bought with care or made with love. This is probably the only new clothing most of these newborns receive. Thank you so much.

Dry goods pantry:
The pantry is going strong. Thank you to the DA Ladies Committee who paid a special visit to the clinic as well as the day hospital on Friday last week. Your presence was much appreciated.
Thank you also to each of you who have been making soup for us – it is the quickest and most nutritional meal we have to offer at present.

Donation of 2nd hand clothing from Jessica Midlane and friends:
Currently these items are in Cape Town but stuck in the Customs office. Unfortunately, due to the customs and excise act, they cannot release the items unless A LOT of paperwork is sent to and fro… it is a bit of a nightmare, but we will get the stuff out. Once we do, I will take photos and post them on the blog.
Thank you Jessica and friends [I have the list of names of the moms and the babies who have contributed and will note them in a later update]; thank you Rob Aquadro [who is able to perform small miracles].

Donation of much needed medical equipment:
At Present, these items are on the way to us. Once I get a list of items received, along with the names of the donors, I will let you all know. It is so much needed and welcomed. A very special thank you to Yolanda Parry who has arranged all of this.

Thank you for all the notes of encouragement and support we receive. I am receiving emails and phone calls from people who heard from a friend and so on, about our project. Please continue to forward our newsletters and updates to your friends and family.

My family and I will be moving on Wednesday, 8th September…. Finally! I am still surrounded by boxes – just more, this time.


Have a fantastic month and lots of love
Norah

Update May 2010

Hello Everybody

Well, the 2010 World Cup fever has really hit Cape Town and within a couple of days [can you believe it?] we’ll be hosting every soccer lover around the world. How exciting is that?

And then there is the very, very long holiday for the children who are at school – to all the moms: don’t worry, we’ll find something to do with out little ones.
Thank you so much to the following contributors:

Arlene Johansson, Dimitra Kotsopolous, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Sandy Schuurman, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena Hutchings, Ingrid Rix, Michael P., Donna and Luc Cobban, Anna Johansson, Ruby Passet-Gradwell, Yolanda Parry, Collyeen Sinclair, Dalma Cheryll, Dr PJ Sinclair, Christina Smit, Roz Hoek, Nikki Haywood, Lou van Selm, Thea Bessie Kotsopolous, Thea Athina Kotsopolous Friends at New Beginnings clinic, and Friends from Monterey Pre-Primary School.

Babies born during May 2010:
There were 185 babies born in May – 99 were boys and 86 girls! All beautiful and perfect!

Mom and baby packs:
We have received lovely products again for the mom and baby packs – thank you so much for the items of clothing and products.
Sometimes I look at the size of the vests, for example, and can’t imagine that somebody very small will wear it.

Dry goods pantry:
We have had wonderful contributions of soup – thank you very much Yolanda and Sheena. Needless to say, the freezer has been full and there is nothing more nutritional than good old soup.
We still have a problem with milk and bread, but I’m sure we’ll find a way around that.

The Clinic and Zoe functions:
The Zoe Project is running as per normal at the Retreat Clinic. Our counselors are working hard – sometimes till late at night to ensure that all the clients are seen and assisted. The staff is working hard too – sometimes up to 8 moms are giving birth at the same time, but somehow they manage this
We have not changed anything regarding our functions or the support given to the people who visit the clinic.
Our intention is to grow and assist more people in need
Our ultimate goal is to have a safehouse of our own, run by and for the people we help.

Your support and encouragement:
Thank you again to each and everybody who have sent messages of love and support to us – especially during the last 2 months.

Your encouragement just proves that it takes small things by people to change the world, one thing at a time.
You are making a difference in many lives, and no matter what your beliefs are, it is making a difference in this country.

Spread the word:
Please continue to pass on these emails. The Zoe Project works because of word-of-mouth. We do not advertise the needs of our clients, nor do we request aid for financial support – we rely on your kindness and your spreading the word of our work.

Thank you so much for those of you who have done this and continue to do this

Enjoy the holidays and much love as always
Norah Papanicolaou

Update March 2010

Hello Everybody

   What a wonderful time of year! Easter Holidays and being spoilt by spending special time with the children and family; enjoying the last days of summer and being privileged to live in Cape Town… We’ve seen the Argus happening and enjoyed watching the runners in the 2 Oceans’ Marathon. Well done to those of you who have participated and completed these endurance events.

I hope you’ve all had a blessed Easter and have remembered the true meaning of Easter.

A huge thank you to the following contributors…
Arlene Johannson, Dr Lara Smith, Marlene Helfrecht, Bronwyn Hopwood, Alexandra Fisher, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Jo Dix, Sandy Schuurman, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena Hutcihngs, Anne Wilson, Rene Grimmbacher, Michael P., Donna Cobban, Melissa and Sally Harriss, Anna Johannson, Yolanda Parry, Harriet and Councilor Denis Joseph, the DA Women’s Network [DAWN], Colleen Sinclaire, Dalma Cherryll, the anonymous friends at the New Beginnings Clinic, Anonymous friends from Monterey Pre-Primary School.

Thank you for each contribution – I have said before that no matter how big or small, it does make a difference to those who receive the items you donate to the Zoe Project.

A Warning…

As you are all aware, we have never asked for monetary contributions for the Zoe Project. It has been brought to our attention that there is a group of people who are fundraising for the Zoe Project. We have not employed any person or persons to do this on our behalf.

Please ensure that if you do contribute money to any cause, that you know to whom this is going and that it is legitimate. You are welcome to phone me to clarify the names and positions of people who work on the Zoe Project.

Babies Born…

Well, March 2010 has turned our Cape Town statistics on its head because there were more boys born than girls at the Retreat Maternity clinic. 99 Boys and 89 girls!

Just when you think you know what is going to happen, nature changes things up side down.

Other news of interest is that only 4 of the babies born were to teenagers: 1 x 15 year old and 3 x 16 year olds. We hope that this is an indication that the birthrate amongst young girls will drop and that the average age of giving birth of 14 years old in the Western Cape, will change. We also trust that the campaign of using condoms and contraceptives is getting through to the younger [and older] generation.


Mom and Baby Packs…

Last month, we received the most gorgeous baby clothes, and again this month [thank you Yolanda, Melissa and Sally] we were pleasantly surprised with another kind donation of the most gorgeous baby items. We will be using this for our Christmas day babies.

In addition to these items of baby clothing, we have received beautiful mom and baby packs [thanks Donna and Rene]. Your continuous and loyal support of our project assists me in continuing to believe in the kindness and humanity of others.

The toys that are so kindly knitted [thank you Anna] by hands that cannot do other tasks bring joy to little ones who perhaps would not have a new toy otherwise.

And the lovely baby products which we will include in our baby packs – perfect size! [thank you Colleen].

I am gobsmacked at the kindness and selflessness that I see every month – people who give sometimes when they can’t afford to, and those who give because they feel it is all they can do.
Thank you for that.

Dry goods pantry…

Our pantry is feeding the number of moms who give birth overnight and those who stay for Kangaroo care. Every month the amount of people being fed is different, and every month the amount of food I receive is different – but it is always enough. Miraculously it fills the stomachs of those who need the food.

We are in desperate need of powdered milk to make 3 liters of milk per day; and we are in desperate need of bread [2 loaves per day] for the clinic.

Pollsmoor babies…

Most of the babies of mothers who are incarcerated at Pollsmoor Prison are born at the Retreat Maternity Clinic. In an emergency situation these babies are born at Groote Schuur Hospital, but most of the time the moms are brought to Retreat MOU along with their guard and they wait. Children do not ask questions and moms who are imprisoned do not feel less pain at giving birth. We live privileged lives and no matter who you are, your child is precious to us.

Support messages and encouragement…

Thank you to all who have sent messages of support and encouragement. It means a lot to me but it means so much more to the staff who work at the clinic.

Enjoy the rest of April and lots of love
Norah Papanicolaou
norah@xsinet.co.za

February 2010 Update

Hello Everybody

   The first term of this year is almost over and life is flying by. I hope you are all well and have been making the best of the hot weather.

A huge thank you to the following contributors…

Arlene Johannson, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and David Dunn, Sandy Schuurman, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Ingrid Rix, Rene Grimmbacher, Michael P., Donna Cobban, Anna Johannson, Yolanda Parry, Cathi and Colin Henderson, Sally Harris, Colleen Sinclair, Sharon Reynolds, The kind parents and children at Constantiaberg Pre-school, our anonymous friends at the New Beginnings clinic, Anonymous friends at Monterey Pre-Primary, and The ladies at the Constantia Gardeners’ club.

Babies born…

There were 185 babies born in February 2010 - 87 of them were boys.

Again I was very privileged to be a birthing assistant to a mom on Monday while she was giving birth, and I must say that the experience is still the same – absolute awe at the little miracles coming into the world.

The mom’s pain during labour and the dad’s face when he sees his child for the first time.
There are few things that can compare to this experience.

Well done to the staff who work so hard, and who assist moms to give birth to healthy babies under very difficult and sometimes stressful situations.

Mom and baby packs…
We have received the most beautiful newborn baby clothes for our baby packs. The moms will be most grateful for these, and also, we will be going into winter soon: the majority of these items were for winter!

The items are all lovely and very much appreciated by those who receive them.

The second hand clothing all goes to either safe houses or baby houses – so thank you for those items too.

Dry goods pantry…
The milk delivery [2 liters a day] seems to be problematic at present, as well as the bread [which is no longer available], so the food items we provide along with, of course, the daily one dry Provita, is all they have to feed the moms.

Thank you for your continuous support here. It is difficult, especially for the Kangaroo moms, to breastfeed a baby when you have an empty stomach.

We still have our 40 x 250g margarine tubs filled with vegetable soup – and if any of you would like to make more for us, please let me know.

A Special thank you…
To Elsie and Ras du Plessis from Miracle Kidz. I mentioned them in our newsletter and update last month but I would like to thank them again because they have gone above and beyond being emergency foster parents. Elsie and Ras have helped a very desperate pregnant mom by looking after her child while she went into labour.

The dedication of these two individuals is phenomenal – they have made a huge difference to the life of that child AND the one the mom has given birth to.

Another extra-ordinary thank you…
I am not going to name them by name [can’t single out individuals], but the two sisters at MOU who assisted with another emergency baby from Westlake – thank you for going out of your way to help this baby, for helping us register him and getting him his necessary injections.

You have done a wonderful service to him and I am especially impressed that you do your work with such joy and pleasure. Thank you!

Dullah Course…
Our Dullah trainer will be running another course soon – if you are interested in becoming a ‘birthing assistant’ please let me know and I can arrange for you to join the group who will be training.

Please note that these courses are run specifically for people who want to help at the Retreat Maternity Clinic. People who would like to do this privately and earn an income from this have to arrange their own
courses and training.

Support Structures…
I would like to talk a bit about support structures. We all have someone, either family or a close friend, who is there for us during a time of need. But we are also there to support them.

Many of the women I come across at the clinic and within underprivileged communities do not have this.

The question is, what do we do about this?
I haven’t got an answer yet, but I do know that it is important to re-connect with people and to value the friendships we do have. It isn’t about what that person can do for us, the maybe’s or perhapses, but rather an emotional support: The ‘just being there’ kind of support.
Life will feel lighter with someone on your side.

No man is an island, we need others to grow and others need us too.

Thank you so much again for all the wonderful messages of support that we receive via email and other means – the encouragement is an amazing boost for the staff and it is great to know that so many people care about what we do.

Take care and lots of love
Norah Papanicolaou
Information Empowers!
because every child matters
and for The Zoe Project
http://www.informationempowers.org.za/
norah@xsinet.co.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

Update 07 October 2009 - the Zoe Project and other good news

Hello Everybody

I hope those of you who have children at school enjoyed the short, sharp holiday. Hopefully
Spring or Summer will show up soon…

Thank you to the following contributors…
Arlene Johansson, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Lorette and Juliette Garnett, Sandy Schuurmans, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena Hutchings, Yolanda Parry, Ingrid Rix, Rene and Samuel Grimmbacher, Michael P., Donna Cobban, Luc Michot, Anna Johansson, Kirsten Hopwood, Annette Cowley-Nel, Johnathan Ackerman, Ruby Passet-Gradwell, the Anonymous friends at the New Beginnings Clinic and The anonymous parents from Monterey Preschool.

Each of you is making a difference – and I can’t say it enough. Thank you for all the food
and the beautiful mom’s and baby’s packs you provide. Thank you also for the wonderful items
for the safe houses and baby homes. The rooms look brighter with the duvet covers and lamps
and little mats you’ve given. And the clothes for the women and children in the safe houses
are so welcome.

Births at the clinic in September…
There were 204 births in September and 74 were boys. The youngest mothers were 14, 15 and two 16 year-olds.

Pantry needs…
The pantry is fulfilling a much needed service. The moms who give birth overnight are fed a healthy meal before they go to bed, or at breakfast time. Dried goods really help with feeding the moms, especially the Kangaroo moms who stay for long periods. If their families don’t bring food, they only get the Provita and cup of soup.
These moms are not allowed to leave their babies alone at the clinic for fear of abandonment.

Moms’ needs… [very desperately]
We are in desperate need of NEW Panties, sized Medium. Many of the moms who arrive only have the one panty they are wearing and it isn’t conducive to hygiene for them to wear that panty after they’ve given birth. We have been blessed to have the mom packs handy, but supplies are limited and we would love to be able to leave a couple of panties with the sisters in charge to distribute as the need arises.

Staff at the clinic…
Thanks to the DA ladies group helping with a soup day. They are a group of wonderful women who make soup And travel to various clinics and day hospitals in the peninsula to feed the people who attend these.
Retreat Clinic has been visited and will be on their schedule again this month.
Thanks to councilor Denis Joseph who has arranged this.

Sports Day – Annual Six-A-Side…
We are hosting our annual Sports Day – Soccer, Six-A-Side on Saturday, 7 November.
Registration starts at 08h15 sharp and this year it will be on the Simonstown Navy Sports field.
We request that each player contribute R20 – this money is to raise funds for us to have a
staff Christmas day for the personnel at the Retreat maternity clinic.
Please contact me if you are interested in putting together a team – whether professional, skilled, semi-skilled…
The aim is to have fun and it is a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the Zoe team members.

Place of Hope…
It is with great thanks to Mr Tony Moolenschot from Moolenschot Construction who fixed the huge leak at Place of Hope in Crawford. It is unbelievable generosity that has made an enormous difference to the living conditions of the women and children who reside there. The place is warmer and drier and I haven’t seen a child with a runny nose in a couple of weeks. Thank you, Tony. You have no idea how big it is what you have done.
I would also like to thank Liz Brunette from the Constantia Hills Residents Association for putting us in contact with Tony.
Emails passed on… I’ve said it before.

Tony Moolenschot [right] with Place of Hope, Centre Manager, Jenni Arendorf.

Clean, Washed, Second Hand clothes and used electronic equipment…
We are still appealing for good, washed 2nd hand clothing for women and children for the safe houses. Equally importantly, we would welcome working 2nd hand electronic household equipment for the safe houses second stage housing. If you’re clearing out, please let me know and I’ll collect.

Zoe updates – please look at the blogspot for photographs and past issues of this newsletter.
You can find it at http://www.thezoeproject.blogspot.com/

Information Empowers!...
Our website will be up and running soon. You can find it on http://www.informationempowers.org.za/
Workshops are ongoing and we are moving from strength to strength.

Thank you all again for everything that you do.
With lots of love to you all




Norah Papanicolaou

Norah@xsinet.co.za

7 July Update by Norah Papanicolaou

Hello Everybody

My humble apologies for only sending the update now. I’m running a couple of projects at the same time and sometimes it is difficult for me to get to everything at once.
It is July holidays and before we know it, it is Christmas. I hope you have all taken some time to spend with your family.

Thank you to the following contributors:
Arlene J., Dr Lara S., Bronwyn H., Marlene H., Jane and Sebastian D., Nikki A., Sandy S.,
Sharon W., Heather M., Sheena H., Michael P., Anna J., Kirsten H., Annette C-N., Johnathan A., Guy W., Constantia Pharmacy, Sue [New Beginnings Clinic], Julie and Greg B., Samuel G. and Luke C.

Your contributions this month have again proved to me that magical moments and miracles do happen. The amount of clothing and household items that
we have been able to give to the safe houses this month has been great. Funny how I had just enough toys for the children at Place of Hope – there are 32 little children
and we had 34 toys. Each of these children now has something of their own to cuddle and name. I have also appealed to everyone that if they know a plumber or a plumbing company who would assist with fixing the giant leak at Place of Hope in Crawford to give me a call, and I know that somewhere someone will assist us in helping them out.

The food that has gone to the Retreat Maternity Clinic is indeed a blessing. We had a meeting last month and we were told that from the beginning of July 2009
the moms will only be given 1 dry Provita and a cup of soup as the meal for the day by the clinic. They have been given a couple of packets of Oats-so-Easy and a box of Jungle Oats and this must last through the month. This boggles the mind as this is supposed to be sustenance for moms who have given birth as well as the Kangaroo moms who are breastfeeding their babies.

The freezer is in place but at the moment it only holds 40 x 250gram margarine tubs filled with soup. I know that we will get someone to make more soup to be frozen and given to the women.

I would like to thank Guy Wood and the Constantia Pharmacy especially this month, because they have donated some incontinence sheets. The clinic had run out and their delivery wasn’t scheduled until a couple of days later. The nursing staff was assisting moms giving birth and they had nothing to put under the babies when they were born. Guy and his team helped us in giving them a more hygienic entry into life. I think it is wonderful that local businesses are recognizing the need in poorer communities.

Information Day on 13th June 2009

Thank you to those of you who joined us. I know you have all learnt a bit more about the Zoe Project and everything we are involved in – more than I can ever write in an email.
To those who couldn’t make it, here is a little update.

The Zoe Project is growing arms and legs – as with all good things.

Bethany from BABY SAFE told us about the safe for babies. Let me explain. With the magnitude of babies being dumped in bins and toilets and open fields, an engineer in the States came up with the idea of creating a safe place for moms who don’t want their babies, to safely leave the babies. This is not something that is advertised as it is a sensitive issue and we don’t want people to think that this is now a ‘way out’. Baby safe was engineered to work in the following way:
It is located in Fish Hoek and when someone opens the door and places the baby inside the ‘safe’, a sensor goes off which is attached to an alarm system. The alarm system works like the one you have at home. It starts phoning telephone numbers. There are at least 3 people on call at a time and the first call it makes is to a private security company who is there within 3 minutes. So, the baby who has now been abandoned is not alone for longer than 3 minutes.

The other people who are contacted by the ‘sensor’ are emergency care and the counselors who place the baby in emergency foster care or hospital – should there be a need to do so.
This is the most incredible technology I’ve heard of in a long time. There are only 2 baby safes in South Africa. The one in Fish Hoek hasn’t been used yet, but it is there as an alternative option to just dumping your unwanted baby in a field.

Tracey spoke about the wonderful help we’ve received from members of King of Kings Baptist Church. They have undertaken to look after very young moms and their babies, and re-introduce them to the community after they have given birth and in some cases, gone through rehabilitation. It is not easy for us to understand about the difficulties experienced by someone who is in a state of despair. The ladies at the church take the young girls into their care, counsel them and help them find their place in the world again. They are doing a tremendous job and are filling a need where no one else is available to help.

Sister Lynda Smith, Manager of the Retreat MOU spoke about the wonderful support that her staff has received from the Zoe Project personnel - Just making their work so much easier. The gratitude of these women who work so hard and under such difficult situations is over whelming. They shine even under pressure and it is all because of working together with caring people. Without that, the Zoe Project would not be as successful as it is. I would like to add that each of you is helping in this. Please remember this on the days that you’re feeling down or not sure about yourself. You are an incredible support, anonymous though it is, to an incredible bunch of women.

A Radio Station from the United States has come to hear about the Zoe Project. They have contacted us and are interested promoting our cause in the States. The technicalities of this still need to be worked out and it will take a while before anything materializes. But it is great news as the Zoe Project and the work we do is gaining an international name.

I invited an honoured guest, DA ward counselor Denis Joseph joined us at the information day. He has rallied the DA Ladies Alliance to provide soup twice a month to the people who visit the Retreat Maternity clinic. With approximately 450 registrations per month and the additional average of 200 births per month, that is a lot of people to feed. Thank you Denis and Harriet for your sincere interest in the community and wanting to make a difference where you can. The first soup day was Friday, 3rd July and according to Sister Lynda, it went really well.

Our vision…
The ultimate vision and goal of The Zoe Project is to have a safe house and baby house of our own. There are a hand full of baby houses and safe houses in Cape Town. I visit them often and many of them are in a state of disrepair. They all need funding, they all need help. They are all providing an incredible service to humanity and improving the lives of so many people. Our goal is to provide this. And it will happen when the time is ready and everything is in place.

The Zoe Project as an example…
We endeavour to assist other clinics in other areas to do the same work we do at Retreat. This is huge – the main criteria for this working, is that people who are passionate about helping others need to work together. This is the main ingredient of our success so far.

Births at the clinic this month….
There were 214 births at the clinic during June 09. I have been privileged to witness births and I am telling you, it IS a portal for souls to enter this world. Watching a baby being born is a miracle that cannot be compared to anything. The endorphins that pulse through the body of the mother enable them to go through the pain of birth and immediately love that child. That baby crying for the first time is the most beautiful sound in the world.

Information Empowers!
Although Information Empowers! is separate from the Zoe Project, we link in because of the people we help. I am proud to say that Information Empowers has developed workshops about child sexual abuse for children and adults which are currently being used by 3 Victim Empowerment groups in the Western Cape. I have also just finished a workbook that ties in with the workshops and it has proved to be an additional tool in fighting child sexual abuse and helping victims and non-victims become empowered. There are a couple of workshops and workbooks in development at the moment and it is all very exciting knowing that we are helping those who are most vulnerable. Thank you so much to those people who have been supporting me with their encouragement and love.

I hope I haven’t left anything out. I know this has been a very long email filled with news, and I’d like to receive feedback. Anything positive you would like to share with the moms or the staff of the clinic, please email me and I will pass the message on to them.

I would like to leave you with this thought:
Individuals CAN make the difference – even if you think that your little bit is too little: it is helping someone with nothing. You ARE making a difference.

Thank you and lots of love and many blessings





Norah Papanicolaou
For the Zoe Project
Information Empowers!
Because every child matters.
norah@xsinet.co.za