VANDERBIJLPARK. – It all started when Amy Westerman (originally from Sasolburg) handed out her baby’s clothes that were too small.

Soon she realized the need out there was great and she established The Grace Factory.

It was in 2013 in Johannesburg. Since then, the non-profit organization has gone from strength to strength with branches in the Vaal Triangle and KwaZulu-Natal.

Not only is founder Amy an ex-Valie, her colleague, Sarah Cressey also matriculated in Sasolburg.

Ellouise van Vuuren, who is in charge of affairs of the Vaal Triangle branch, also matriculated in Sasolburg but currently lives in Vanderbijlpark.

The three, together with their volunteers, make a big difference in the lives of mothers and their newborn babies.

One way they do this is to make up packs for women with some of the basic necessities that include everything from cream to diapers and wet wipes.

Ellouise says that they get most of the products through company sponsors, but it is for making up the packages and the baby clothes that they press on their volunteers’ buttons.

The volunteers knit baby stockings, beanies and baby jackets for the premature babies up to about two years old.

One of the volunteers, Antoinette Botha, says her mother knits a baby jacket for The Grace Factory every day.

“We are lost without our volunteers,” agrees Ellouise. The organization is currently working with 64 organizations to make sure as many mothers and babies in need are helped as possible.

“Oh, it breaks one’s heart when you come to a hospital and a mother only has an old T-shirt to wrap her newborn baby in,” Antoinette shakes her head.

What they do, they do with passion and their families are also often called in to help.

“We even have people who cut the blankets for us. Aunt Trish and Uncle Graham sit in front of their overlockers all day to make sure the fabric blankets that are cut are nicely finished,” smiles Ellouise.

Their volunteers currently range from 8 years old to aunts in their 80s. “We don’t hold meetings, there isn’t stuff everyone has to do. Each fall in and does as it suits the person.

“We are always looking for donations of wool, knitted and crocheted clothes, toys and well-fitting baby clothes.”

They especially have a shortage of clothes for premature and newborn babies. For more information about The Grace Factory, as well as how people can get involved, please visit their website at www. thegracefactory.co.za.