Baby project still going strong in providing valuable service to new mothers

Volunteers and sponsors from the Oliver Tambo Memorial baby project were honoured with certificates on November 30 for their support.

The appreciation tea took place at Tina Moolman’s house in Bartlett, who is part of the initiative.

Attendees shared among themselves stories of how they knew about the project over tea and cake.

The initiator of the project, Deacon Barbara Morrison, wasn’t there to share in the fun due to an illness.

The project, headed by the Anglican Church of Boksburg, assists hundreds of mothers and their newborn babies.

Morrison from the Anglican Church of Boksburg launched the project in 2013 when she heard of the plight of newborn babies being discharged from hospitals wrapped in newspapers and bin bags.

Every two weeks, with the help of the community, church members and various organisations hand out hampers of basic clothing, blankets, baby wipes and other products to the mothers of the newborns.

This year, they handed out hampers to 3134 babies so far and they still have two more deliveries before the year end.

Moolman said on average, they do 70 hampers every second week.

“The year was very busy for us. We were sometimes stressed a little when we saw our donations dwindling, but we have never missed a delivery and somehow always had enough.

“We thank the community at large because this initiative would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of our donors,” Moolman said.

Moolman highlighted that they’ve received enormous support from Pamela Hallett, who handed over her 300th jersey since she started in March and Ceradwyn Foster who cut and hemmed 750 polar fleece blankets.

“Foster also made 774 mini toys since January this year. Many, many others donate all sorts of things.

“We even have clients from the Wool Centre in Boksburg North that knit and crochet, and leave donation baskets for us in the shops.

“I personally would like to thank the team that does all the behind-the-scenes work and does the deliveries, namely Barbara Morrison, Ceradwn Foster, Pamela Martin, Jeanette Godden and Julie Vengtas.

“We may be a small group of volunteers, but we make a large impact and will continue to do so as long as there are babies born at Tambo Memorial Hospital. Every baby will go home with dignity,” Moolman said.

The project is in need of zero to three months’ babygros, vests and wool.

“It would be wonderful if we could get donations of wool because many of the women who knit and crochet blankets, beanies, bootees and jerseys are pensioners and cannot afford to buy wool, but are more than willing to do the work for us,” she said.

Anyone who is interested in donating the above items or contributing to the sustainability of the project may contact Moolman on 073 345 1419.

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