Northcliff Rotary donates over 1 000 dignity packs to vulnerable mothers
The charity hosted a mammoth packing day at GEM Homes in Roosevelt Park to ensure new mothers and their newborns had a gift of love from those who care.
Northcliff Rotary has made sure that 1 000 vulnerable new mums and their babies have a little something special after an highly successful fundraising campaign.
Organised by Charmaine Govender who also runs a charity Beanies, Booties and Blankets, the event is in line with Rotary’s theme for 2023, Create Hope.
“We wanted to create hope this Women’s Month for mothers who nurture and raise our children. Rural women in particular like those in the Eastern Cape are really struggling.”
Gershwin Brooks, who runs Mandela Day for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said community projects such as this are ‘crucial’ for South Africa to have where dignity is restored and love is spread.
The packs consisted of nappies, barrier creams, breast pads, blankets, a toy, beanies and booties, sanitary pads and other goods aimed at making those first few days of motherhood a little easier for the recipients. The dignity packs will be distributed far and wide including KZN, Klerksdorp, Parys and Vanderbijlpark.
One recipient of the bags was Bulelani Kuwane from the Eastern Cape. He runs a small foundation that tries to address poverty and inequality. “This is an incredible donation that will have a huge impact on the women who receive them. We cannot thank Rotary enough for this gift of love and hope.”
The mammoth task of packing the donations took place at GEM Homes in Roosevelt Park. Many of the elderly residents pitched in to help, baked delicious treats for volunteers to eat and they often donated hand-knitted items that will soon adorn the babies who receive them.
Ann Bicard, secretary for GEM Homes said, “We can’t always be the recipients of aid and support; it is important for us to also help other worthwhile causes.”
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