PRC comes of age in helping pregnant moms

But the organisation has been in operation for some 21 years. It provide services such as crisis pregnancy counselling, alternatives to abortion, free pregnancy tests, a sexual integrity schools programme, a mother home and post abortion support. All services are free to the public.

Last week PRC received a donation of R2,700 from a cake sale hosted by the maternity department at Kingsway Hospital. “The money will go towards building repairs. I am grateful not only for the generous donation, but that the maternity department is interested in helping women who have nothing. A nursing sister also volunteers at the centre and gives ante-natal classes to the girls in the mother’s home,” said director, Connie van Niekerk.

Connie’s plans for the centre in the coming months include securing sponsorship to revamp the building, including its mother home. “We accommodate six girls at a time, we currently have four. When they come here, we want them to feel as if they are in a loving home.” A girl stays for the duration of her pregnancy and leaves a few days after her baby is born. During her stay a counsellor works with her. “We inform her of the choices available, be it parenting or adoption.We are pro-life, but not here to make a girl’s choice for her, but to help her make an informed choice.”

The mother home is not just a shelter, it has rules and boundaries for the girls’ safety. “A housemother manages the home and the girls have to get stuck in doing chores, like they would do when at home. We teach them skills such as baking, sewing and beading. They also make a quilt for their babies, which gives them self-worth, as many arrive from homes where they have been abused or treated badly.”

Connie will also focus on securing corporate sponsorship. It costs between R40,000 and R50,000 to run PRC on a monthly basis.”Our volunteer numbers have also dropped, we have more paid staff, as people cannot afford to not work.” She is also looking for sponsorship of tyres for a vehicle, linen and towels.

PRC intends to continue its sexual integrity programme, ‘Undiluted’, which impacted 10 schools in 2013. “We target grade 10s on pregnancy-related issues and conduct a nine-week programme in some schools and a shorter programme in other schools. We also offer counselling, not only to girls, but to boys whose girlfriends have had abortions. We speak to them about choices they make, to value respectful and meaningful relationships and that it is okay to say no.”

PRC does not allow faith or its pro-life ethos to affect its counselling methods. “We are a safe place to return for counselling.”

The organisation also has a single mothers’ assist programme, which meets once a month.”We usually host a guest speaker, to help the women empower themselves about their choices.”

PRC is open to the public from 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Thursdays and 9am to 2pm on Fridays. For more information call 031-903-7359.