Once a month Lindy Elmes and Lisa Opperman arrive at Stanger hospital’s labour ward laden with love and gifts for the new moms and babies.
Each visit is unique but one thing remains constant, the mothers are bowled over by this unexpected act of generosity.
“It feels like we are giving each lady a surprise stork party,” said Elmes.
An average of 70 babies are born every day at the hospital and many of the moms are either desperately poor, teenagers as young as 14, pregnant through rape or a combination of all three.
Positive Beginnings aims to give each of these moms a positive start to motherhood with a gift that will go a long way into making the journey easier.
“The first few days and weeks of your new baby’s life can be overwhelming even for moms who have everything they need to care for their child. How much more so for moms who literally have nothing to wrap their babies in when they leave the hospital?”
Each gift bag is designed to see moms through at least the first week clothing wise and contain toiletries for baby including powder, soap and Vaseline, toweling and disposable nappies, a blanket and receiving blanket, two baby grows, two jerseys, two vests, two bibs and Unifoam sponsors a baby mattress for each one.
When things like prams and wraps are donated to Positive Beginnings there is no fair way to choose the recipient, so they put everyone’s name in a bag and raffle them out as prizes.
“To be given a pram means so much more than we realise. You would think they had won a Ferrari!”
They also come prepared with at least four comfort bags for mothers whose babies have died or were stillborn.
“There is nowhere else for these grieving moms to go and they are surrounded by everybody else’s healthy new babies. It is heartbreaking.”
Positive Beginnings rely mostly on donations and they say they would visit the hospital more often if they had more to give out.
“We are so grateful to Vision 153 for all they bring us and the women who regularly knit for the cause.”
They are encouraging the public to join them either by donating the items they need for the gift bags or putting together a complete bag for a mom.
Please note only baby clothes (new or second hand) from newborn to six months will be accepted.
Contact Lindy on 083 607 4498.
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