WESTVILLE Junior Primary School (WJPS), guided by its motto of kindness, recently collected baby items for The Sibonile Baby Care Pack Project.

The project was started by Baby Hope House after a matron at RK Khan Hospital shared that some newborns were being sent home wrapped in newspaper because their mothers had nothing else.

“The babies became heartbreakingly known as ‘the fish and chip babies’,” said The Sibonile Baby Care Pack Project’s Rebekah Minnaar.

In response to this need, Minnaar said the Baby Hope House began distributing baby care packs to restore dignity and hope to these mothers. Due to resource constraints, The Sindiswa Foundation took over the project a year ago and renamed it Sibonile, meaning ‘we see you’.

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Minnaar said the Foundation is passionate about addressing South Africa’s growing baby abandonment crisis and believes that every act of care can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

“It provides new mothers with essential baby items to ease the challenges of the early months, restoring dignity and bringing hope to families who may feel overwhelmed by their circumstances.

“Each pack contains practical necessities such as nappies, baby clothing, toiletries, and a blanket, serving as a tangible expression of care and support.

“Through our partnership with Babyline, we are able to extend the reach of this project beyond St Mary’s Hospital, making it possible to provide baby packs to mothers in other hospitals as well,” said Minnaar.

By working together with communities and partners, Minnaar explained that the project meets immediate needs and reminds mothers that they are not alone on their parenting journey.

Ultimately, the Sibonile Baby Care Pack Project seeks to strengthen families, uplift mothers, and make a lasting difference in the lives of newborns.

Minnaar expressed the foundation’s thanks to WJPS for their collection. “We are deeply grateful for your ongoing collaboration and the difference you help us make in the lives of vulnerable mothers and babies.”

Principal Sharon Jenkins said she was blown away with the generosity from the parents.

“Every term, we do a fundraiser for a charity. That kindness and generosity make our school, and the world, a better place. It’s always heartwarming to hear our past pupils saying they are now involved with various NPOs as the giving spirit and assisting the underprivileged was instilled in them at a young age,” said the proud principal.

To assist or find out more about the foundation, visit Sindiswa.Foundation Facebook page.

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