Organisation gives hope, support to families facing an unplanned pregnancy

AIMED at providing support, information and hope to those facing an unplanned pregnancy has been the mission of the non-profit company (NPC), Hope for the Heart Pregnancy Care Centre (PCC).

The NPC, which was started in 2017, is based at the Blue Roof Life Space in Wentworth and caters to people from all around the province and South Africa, including Gauteng and Cape Town.

Jane Wright, the founder, said their vision is to reach, impact, support and provide information, as well as be a safe space for individuals and families facing an unplanned pregnancy.

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“We want to offer support and bring hope to those that are faced with unplanned pregnancy, by advising them of their options, whether they choose to parent, have an abortion or choose adoption. We offer counselling and provide books to help them make an informed decision.

“During such times, there are also a lot of emotions, such as confusion or anger, experienced by the expectant mother, the father, as well as family. We try to fill the gap by empowering them physically, emotionally and spiritually,” she said.

Wright said they also offer various other programmes including sexual health education, legacy dad, post abortion or miscarriage recovery, as well as their mother wellness community support group every Thursday at 10:30.

“We host a nine-week long sexual health programme where we go to schools and campuses to discuss different aspects of sexual health. The learners or students have the freedom to ask questions that they would find difficult to ask their parents or teachers. Our legacy dad programme is to educate and equip fathers on the importance of their roles in a child’s life. The post abortion or miscarriage recovery programme offers support to individuals during their healing period.

“Our weekly mother wellness support group brings mothers from all different backgrounds together, so that they can learn, grow and support one another. We have discussions on various topics such as self-care. We also have speakers that come in and have provided basic first aid training, so that they can help their child while they wait for an ambulance. It is all about advancing and educating mothers, as well as showing them love,” she said.

Wright, who also offers online counselling, said there was a great need for these centres in communities.

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“It not only helps pregnant mothers and families dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, but can minimise the chance of a baby being abandoned. Abandonment is often out of desperation, especially with our young girls as they hide their pregnancy from parents, and soon after having the baby, they need to leave the hospital. There is a need for more safe spaces that can inform them of their options and support them,” she said.

Wright said they also provided support and single parents assistance, and relied heavily on donations.

“Our work does not stop at counselling, we try to help and support single parents, however possible. When we receive any baby items, such as clothes, blankets, nappies, wipes, or food, we share it with the mothers and fathers in need. However, we need to always have more, or we will dry up, and then won’t be able to help anyone,” she said.

Wright said they also need more volunteers to do counselling to come on board.

For more information about the organisation, to volunteer, or to assist, WhatsApp on 064 890 9324, or email admin@hopefortheheat.org.za.

You can also follow their Facebook page, Hope for the Heart PCC or Instagram @hopefortheheartpcc.

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