Sisters pour their hearts into Bags of Hope
The two members of the 1st Waterfall Scouts are hoping to raise enough funds to put together at least 1 000 Bags of Hope for The Robin Hood Foundation.
TWO sisters, Julie (9) and Mikayla (12) Eksteen, are dedicated members of the 1st Waterfall Scouts and recently launched a Bags of Hope project to help support moms and their newborns.
“My daughters have become aware of how many babies have been abandoned due to the financial effects of Covid-19. Baby homes are bursting at the seams and, sadly, donations from the public are dwindling away as people are no longer able to support themselves, let alone help the charities they hold close to their hearts,” said their mom, Margaret.
The duo said their duties as scouts include being useful and helpful and firmly believe it is their responsibility to help wherever they can. Initially they started selling avocados to raise money to purchase food parcels and they have now chosen to create Bags of Hope for mothers of newborns.
The bags will contain the essentials such as nappies, blankets, clothing, wipes, Vaseline, surgical spirits, sanitary pads as well as a lovely bag to hold all of the goodies.
“It is something to help the moms know that there is hope,” said Julie.
Through friends and family, both locally and abroad, they have raised R11 000 as well as a few items of clothing and baby blankets. Their aim is to put together 1 000 of these bags and donate them to The Robin Hood Foundation.
“There will always be a need, so this will hopefully be a never-ending project for them,” said Margaret.
Financial donations, which can be made though www.backabuddy.co.za/bags-of-hope, allow the family to buy in bulk and negotiate discounts for essential items. They are also hoping to gather as much newborn clothing as possible as well as sponsors for bags, nappies, maternity pads and teddy bears.
“Anything will be useful,” added Margaret. “There is nothing more rewarding than putting someone else’s needs above your own. Life is difficult for each and every one of us but when you help make someone’s life even just a little bit better, your life gets better too,” said Mikayla.
To make an in-kind donation, contact Margaret via Whatsapp on 083 781 9290 or via email at relydogsport@gmail.com
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