Update January 2010 by Norah Papanicolaou

Life is Precious!

Hello Everybody

   What a wonderful way to start the year and get going! We have had a great response this month with people phoning and emailing to find out about the Zoe Project and Information Empowers! Word spreads fast and good things happen because people care.

Thank you to the following contributors…

Alison Roberts, Arlene Johannson, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Jo Dix, Nicki Stock, Nikki Andrew, Sandy Schuurman, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Sheena Hutchings, Rene Grimmbacher, Donna Cobban, Michael P, Jennifer Norman, Anna Johannson, Antoinette and Claude Denis, Melica McCrae, Yolanda Parry, Constantia Ladies’ Gardening Club, Nurith Henderson and Ivodent, Georgie and Constantiaberg Pre-primary school, Thea Bessie and Thea Athina Kotsopolous, Anonymous friends at The New Beginnings Clinic and anonymous friends at Monterey Pre-Primary School.

   A Special thanks to Elsie and Ras Du Plessis for helping out one of the moms and her toddlers in an emergency situation… Elsie and Ras run Miracle Kidz and they are emergency foster parents to little ones who require special care.

Births at the clinic during January…

There were 187 births with 107 of them being boys!

   I would like to add the following [due to a couple of questions posed to me recently] that most of the moms who go there to have their babies, actually want their children and have planned their pregnancies.

   They are just in a situation where they cannot afford the luxury of a private hospital. Circumstances are preventing them from giving their children expensive medical care, but that cannot be a detraction from the fact that they have planned that child and are able to give that child their best. Like you and I would.

    The women who are addicted to substances, or are living on the street also go there to have their children. These are the ones we are helping most of all because of their situations. To us, it doesn’t matter from which demographic situation you hail, but rather that we are in a position to help you and that precious child.

Dry goods pantry…

   I have learnt that the bread supply [2 loaves a day] is no longer being supplied to the clinic. I would like to put out an appeal for 14 loaves of bread a week – they can be frozen at the clinic, in order to assist with this desperate shortfall.

   We are continuing with the frozen soup [40 x 250g margarine tubs a month], and with the 2 minute noodles, pasta, rice and tinned food, et cetera.

   The food makes a huge difference to the moms who are breastfeeding their underweight babies [Kangaroo moms] and to those who do not get a meal delivered to them by family – which is most of the women.

Please let me know if you would like to sponsor 14 loaves of bread a week.

Mom and baby packs…

   They continue to wow me! Thank you for the lovely items for both mom and babies. They are very much appreciated and needed.

Interest in the clinic and wanting to do something more…
  
   I have had a couple of people ask about physically helping out at the clinic. Please contact me to discuss the needs. Again, we are in need of birthing assistants [Dullahs] and this can only happen if you have the time to sit with the mom while she is in labour UNTIL the baby is born.


Please keep forwarding our emails to your friends, family and associates. We have a busy year ahead and the more people we reach, the easier it is for us to help others and keep this project going.

Thank you again and happy February.
Lots of love

Norah Papanicolaou
norah@xsinet.co.za

December 2009 Update and Thank You!!!

Hello Everybody
   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/

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

October 09 Update - The Zoe Project and Information Empowers!

Hello Everybody
It has been a really positive and eventful month for both the Zoe Project and Information Empowers!

Thank you to the following contributors…

Alison Roberts, Arlene Johansson, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Hilton Franz and Brandon Weeavind from InterMet Africa, Lisa McNamara, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Tara and Dave Dunn, Nikki Andrew, Antoinette Denis, Ronnie Morrison, Sandy Schuurmans, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Meg and Luke Carter, Rene Grimmbacher, Liam Grimmbacher, Samuel Grimmbacher, Donna Cobban, Luc Michot, Anna Johansson, Tracey and Sean Fraser, Thea Athina Kotsopolous, Thea Vessi Kotsopolous, Kirsten Hopwood, Annette Cowley-Nel, Johnathan Ackerman, Michael P., the anonymous friends at the New Beginnings clinic and the anonymous parents from Monterey Pre-Primary, Jo and Steve Thomas from Sothebys Real Estates Constantia and John Wesson from Bill Rawson Real Estates, Bergvliet.

Births at the clinic in October…
There were 180 births in October – 92 girls and 88 boys. Three of the babies were born prematurely with the smallest being a little boy called Liam, 1479grams at birth. He was born to a 16 year old matric student who is writing her English final exams on Thursday. The youngest mom was a 14 year old, and there were 14 babies born to 17-year old girls.

The pantry…
I cannot stress enough how important every food contribution is for the Retreat MOU. Every time I go to deliver the food, the cupboards are bare and the frozen soup is on its last little bowl. Thank you so much – we are nourishing young moms and inadvertently, their little babies.

A funny story – one of the night staff gave me a recipe that she cooks for the patients. She says, “And I put a little garlic and sometimes some curry powder in it…” Well, that would explain why the babies can’t sleep and are crying. Any spicy food will cause colic because it goes through the mother’s milk to the baby. I will give them a list of foods to avoid while breastfeeding, and they can pass it on to their patients. I have asked her not to put any garlic or curry in any of the food.

Mom and baby packs…
We have tried to increase the 20 mom packs and 20 baby packs that we supply each month by at least half that. Unfortunately, we don’t come close to that at all. But the ones we are giving are still being given to only those who most need it. The little items in the baby packs are so beautiful and it breaks my heart to think that this is probably the only new thing this child would ever get.

Zoe Project Sports Day…
We are hosting a soccer day on Saturday, 7th November at the Simonstown sports field. You may join and enter a 6-a-side team. Registration starts at 8.15 am and cost is R20 per person. The money raised on this day will be used to fund a team building day for the staff who work at the Retreat maternity clinic. This is an annual event and has proved to raise the spirit of the staff. We show our appreciation for the hard work they do under very difficult circumstances by organising the year end function.

Build-A-PC…
Donna Cobban who is a feature writer for CAPE TOWN’S CHILD MAGAZINE and an author had an idea that she put to her boss and the magazine has agreed to this initiative.

Donna arranged for a computer to be built from bits by a company called InterMet Africa. Hilton Franz and Brandon Weeavind built a pc and Donna delivered it to Place of Hope. CPT Child Magazine will do a call for companies and ask them to get their IT departments to build a pc from scrap, and they will be able to donate fully working computers to places of safety and clinics where they are very much needed. Please support this initiative if you are able. Have a look in the February 2010 issue of CPT Child magazine for further details.

Premier Helen Zille and Good News…
I attended a meeting where Premier Zille spoke on 23 October 2009. The lack of social workers in the field was heightened and the importance of NGO’s stressed. NGO’s play a vital part in communities as they supply a service where government [local and national] cannot. There are currently 1800 NGO’s who fall under the Western Cape government and get funding from government in order to do their work. Only 933 of these have proven to give results that would justify their financial support from government. Premier Zille has spoken about implementing a plan in provincial government whereby they change the accountability structure. NGO’s will no longer be able to apply for government funding and not produce accountable and consistent results. A Dashboard system will apply and NGO’s who receive funding will be regulated through this.

There are also 2 new drug rehabilitation clinics that will be opened by the Provincial Government next year. These clinics will only be for children just starting out on drugs. It will work on an out-patient basis. The research done indicated that if the children are helped at the outset, that there is a greater chance of rehabilitation and putting them on the right track.

Provincial government has also opened a new department to co-ordinate all the departments within government who deal with issues relating to women and children. The reason for this is to ensure that there is no duplication of work, that work is done and it is also a monitoring mechanism for the Provincial government. This is fantastic news as it will ensure that matters are dealt with timeously and effectively.

Mayor Dan Plato and good news…
I attended a meeting on 29 October where Mayor Dan Plato spoke to residents from ward 71. I indicated that child sexual abuse is not a justice issue as he mentioned, but an issue that touches all citizens in the Western Cape and indeed this entire country.

After his answer session to all the questions posed to him, he replied to me and pointed his finger, saying: “Let’s talk!” He has indicated that we will meet and I am preparing for this meeting with the mayor and trust that it will be fruitful.

We want the Information Empowers! workshops and workbooks to be introduced to all the schools in order to teach children about safety. We want to ensure that communities have access to practical information and implementation of their rights as far as reporting of abuse and other related issues go. We want to create awareness and prevention mechanisms for all our children. I will keep you updated as to the result of this meeting.

Our website and good news…
http://www.informationempowers.org.za/

I am proud and very excited to say that our website and blogspot is up and running. We have had fantastic feedback from people who have visited it. Please take the time to go through the website and if you have any questions or suggestions, please email me.

It is quite user-friendly and informative and even has fun pages and activities for children.

Kids2Kids (c) 2009…

Kids2Kids (c) 2009 is a pilot project this year, and I’m hoping it will become an annual event in Cape Town. The next couple of weeks will prove if we can deliver the Christmas gifts to the places of safety and children’s homes we have earmarked for this. It is all dependent on the support we receive from the schools. If your child received a flyer, encourage him or her to participate. This teaches our children who are very blessed, a valuable life-skill: compassion and thinking and acting for those who are less privileged than themselves.

Workshops….
Even though at outset I decided not to present workshops myself, I will be presenting a workshop next week, and it would appear as if next year will be quite busy for me in this regard.

I have made information freely available to counselors and Victim Empowerment Groups in and around Cape Town. They are to fund their own printing as we cannot.

I am appealing to anyone who has access to printing facilities and paper to assist me with this for next year. We need to give material to all the children who attend workshops, and at the same time, send home a ‘parent information pack’.

It would be of great help if we could get a sponsor for printing and paper for our workbooks and workshop material. Should you be in a position where you can help, please contact me to discuss.

As I said in the beginning of this newsletter, it has been a very busy month for both the Zoe Project and Information Empowers!

Thank you all for your wonderful support and encouragement – it is invaluable, not just to me but to all who work on these 2 projects. A little encouragement goes a long way!

Please remember to send our updates to your family, friends and colleagues. Visit the blogspots [ http://www.thezoeproject.blogspot.com/ and http://www.informationempowers.blogspot.com/ ]

And our website http://www.informationempowers.org.za/

Contact me with your feedback, questions and suggestions.

Lots of love to you all

Norah Papanicolaou

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

Kids2Kids 2009 - An initiative by Information Empowers!

Double click on the image to read full information.
Lots of love
Norah

4th September Update by Norah Papanicolaou

Hello Everybody

Spring has sprung and I always look out for those first little blossoms on the tree.
Freesias were always in our house when I grew up and in mid-August, this is the sign for me
that summer is near.

I hope you’re all well and enjoying a great Spring!

Thank you to the following contributors.
Arlene Johannson, Dr Lara Smith, Bronwyn Hopwood, Marlene Helfrecht, Jane and Sebastian Dunn, Dave and Tara Dunn, Dimitra Kotsopoulos, Lorette Garnett, Nicki and Mia Stock, Nikki Andrew, Sharon Wewege, Heather Mylne, Ingrid Rix, Tracey and Sean Fraser, Michael P.,
Donna Cobban, Anna Johannson, Kirsten Hopwood, Annette Cowley-Nel, Johnathan Ackerman, Jo Ashwell and family, Antoinette Dennis, Melica McCrae, Andre and Becky Baldeo, Leigh-Anne and Brent Gerhard, Thea Athina Kotsopoulos and Thea Bessie Kotsopoulos.

Thank you for the beautifully knitted baby clothes – made with such care and love. Thank you for the specially picked snug blankets for the babies. Thank you for the toothpaste and tooth brushes, and soap and face cloths – I wish you could see what I see when these packs are given to the moms who don’t have. Their relief and gratitude is tangible.

Thank you for the food items which feed the moms who give birth overnight and also feed the kangaroo moms, who sometimes stay at the clinic for up to 2 weeks. They are not allowed to leave, because of fear of abandonment, and unless their families bring them food which doesn’t happen often, they only get the food from the Dry Goods Pantry. The state only supplies ONE dry Provita and a cup of soup per day per person.

Births at the clinic…
In August there were 202 babies born, and guess what? I have taken the book and worked through each birth and can happily tell you that there were 87 boys born and 115 girls. There have always been more girls born than boys on the days that I am there, so I think that this is really the norm at the moment. We just hope that these babies are given a better chance in life, irrespective of being male or female.

Difficulties experienced by staff at the clinic…
Aside from the volume of patients coming through the doors, and day-to-day labour [excuse the pun], some of the difficulties experienced by staff members are about patients. Women who are pregnant, know that they are pregnant and NOT once during their pregnancy seeing any medical personnel. They arrive when they are in labour. On Tuesday, a woman arrived in labour, she had not seen a doctor or nurse during her pregnancy and the baby was a breech baby. When she was examined, she was 7 ½ cm dilated and the umbilical cord was showing.
The sister in charge had to phone for an ambulance, but that was cancelled because she had to make the decision to save the baby. Happily a little baby boy was born FEET first, crying his heart out but he was well. This was another miracle.
Education about pregnancy is vital in some communities, yet even those who know to go to the doctor chose not to. And this puts their babies and their own lives at risk.

Earlier that morning, a baby was born prematurely at 26 weeks gestation. She weighed only 750grams and was sent with mom, to Groote Schuur Hospital for incubation. We trust that both of them will be okay.

It is difficult looking into the vacant eyes of a 15 year old who has just given birth. The average age of young moms in RSA is 14 years. This young girl didn’t know how to dress her new baby, and it saddens me to know that they have to leave the clinic and go back to where they came from, not knowing things they need to know to look after that baby. What saddens me more is that this 15 year old should be in school. She should have only her education and making her life better, in mind. The counselors with the Zoe Project assist where they can and give sound advice, but in the end the decision lies with the mom.

Cape Town’s Child Magazine…
The September issue of Cape Town’s Child magazine concentrates on Social Responsibility. Donna Cobban who is a feature writer for the magazine contacted me early in August and mentioned that they would be doing this article [see pages 39-42]. I am so happy that we were given the opportunity to mention Place of Hope in Crawford. Some of our clients also go to Sisters Incorporated and Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children - also mentioned in the article. Thank you for this, Donna and Lucille. Places like this need as much exposure by the media as possible and I know that people have already been in contact to help.

Second Hand clothing, Household equipment…
We are continuing to appeal for good quality, clean and washed second hand clothing for our safe houses and baby houses. Working household equipment is used to assist moms set up their own place once they are ready to leave the safe houses. Household linen and bedding is also welcome. Computers in working condition will be used by the offices and also for training centres – where the women in the safe houses can learn how to use a computer and use that skill to find work in an office as opposed to cleaning someone’s house. Please keep this in mind when you are clearing out or hear of someone who is clearing out. Contact me and I will collect from you.

Information Empowers!
Well, I mentioned Leaps and Bounds in the last newsletter, and we are moving forward fighting the war against child sexual abuse. A workshop which has been written for children, has been adapted and is being used to empower women. It is called MAXIMUM ME! And we are proud to say that it has proven to be quite successful in the areas where it has been used.

It is with great anger and heartfelt disgust that I heard this week that convicted paedophile, William John Creasy will be let out on bail on Friday, 10 September. He has spent only 6 years in jail for raping children, making pornography using little children and distribution thereof. The list of this man’s offences goes on. It is a well-known fact that paedophiles CANNOT be rehabilitated. The Sexual Offenders’ Register Bill has been passed by parliament, but access to this by normal citizens is limited. So if Mr Creasy decides to live in Caledon [as he has indicated] what is stopping him from changing his name, and moving in next to the local crèche or pre-school to continue with his paedophilic behaviour?

On a more POSITIVE NOTE, Information Empowers! has started an initiative called Kids2Kids. I have attached the brochure to this email. It is very exciting and we wish all of you to read the brochure and distribute it to all you know.
We hope that you will participate when your child comes home from school with this leaflet. We are also trying to get some corporate sponsors involved to help us with printing of the brochures and at the same time, when we get sponsors, we will include their company logos on the brochures.

I wish you all a happy Spring. Life is too short to waste. Take every opportunity and live NOW. Be happy with your children. Choose your battles with them wisely – they grow up too fast.

Thank you again for all you do and lots of love