Newborns, new moms and new hope with the Baby Box Project
Not all moms can provide for their newborn babies as circumstances differ for each person. But the Baby Box project steps in to help moms with their babies' first few months.
Even though becoming a mother is a joyful occasion for most, for others this could be one of the scariest times of their lives. Single moms living in difficult circumstances ranging from poverty to inadequate housing, teenagers, and victims of rape and abuse could be overwhelmed by the prospect of bringing another life into an already dark world.
The Baby Box project not only brings light, but also hope.
The project was started in 2014 when Lena Clark and her daughter Robyn both identified people in their circle who had newborn babies and struggled to provide the necessities early in the babies’ lives.
They realised that there was not only a systemic problem in South Africa, but that the unacceptably high rates of baby abandonment in the country were linked to mothers not having enough support immediately after the baby’s birth.
“Statistics show that a vulnerable mom is most likely to abandon her baby in the first six days after birth,” Lena said.
Their teams and volunteers visit moms in government hospitals and hand out hampers with baby essentials, thus affording these moms the dignity of taking their baby home in new clothes.
“We see this as a turning point in the lives of many of the moms we visit, and they take on motherhood with fresh courage and commitment.”
Each bag contains one baby blanket, one baby grow (0–3 months), one seasonal outfit, two vests, socks and a hat, one facecloth, one roll of cotton wool, one tub Vaseline, one bar of baby soap, one packet of thick sanitary pads, one packet of nappies, 500ml bottle of water, one personal note of encouragement to the new mom, and one face mask.
“We have done this to provide hope, but more importantly to foster a connection between mom and baby. A mom is a lot less likely to abandon her baby if a genuine connection is made in the first 10 days of a baby’s life. By providing moms with some of the necessaries, they can focus on connecting with their baby instead of worrying about finding the items they need,” Lena explained.
She added they prefer the items in the bags to be new as this affirms the message that every baby’s life matters. But they also accept gently used baby clothing to help bulk up the bags.
Last year the project handed out between 140 and 200 bags per month, totalling 2 063 bags for the year. These were handed out at hospitals such as Dr Yusuf Dadoo, Leratong and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child.
The project has grown immensely and this year they wish to move to an office space and employ semi-permanent staff. Because they hand out these hampers weekly, they depend on donors and volunteers to help make a meaningful contribution. They have also partnered with an organisation called Impact Baby Rescue which offers ongoing counselling and support to new mothers.
If you want to get involved you are welcome to make up a baby box and drop it off, or make a financial contribution towards the project, or you can just spread awareness. For more info, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages.
“New moms need lots of support! Both emotional and material. Especially single moms. Do not judge. Listen to their stories. Show kindness as you do not know the circumstances they are facing,” Lena advised.
