Who will love the babies?
The founder and chairman of The Robin Hood Foundation said: “Of the 1.1 million babies born every year in South Africa, 300,000 are born to HIV-positive mothers.
IN 2005, shortly after the birth of her second daughter, Durban businesswoman Cindy Norcott began to wonder how many less fortunate babies could benefit from the clothes her little one had already grown out of.
This thought, generated while feeding her newborn, led to the launch of The Robin Hood Foundation’s Love the Babies project.
The founder and chairman of The Robin Hood Foundation said: “Of the 1.1 million babies born every year in South Africa, 300,000 are born to HIV-positive mothers. Our ‘Love the Babies’ bag is essentially a ‘baby shower in a bag’, supplying bags of pre-loved baby clothes, toiletries and other essential baby goods to needy mums with newborn babies from poor and AIDS-affected communities at the government hospitals we visit every six to eight weeks”.
“These projects really do pull on the heartstrings of the teams of volunteers who join us on the visits, as these babies have very little, some have absolutely nothing. Most times we arrive, the babies are lying wrapped in a hospital blanket in only a nappy. You cannot even imagine the incredible joy of the new mums as they unpack their ‘Love the Babies’ bags and quickly dress their little ones in the donated clothes and swaddle them in the blankets.”
Robin Hood appeals to all mums in the community to help spread the love this February to these new mums and newborns. Do so by donating:
- Pre-loved baby clothes, beanies, booties (sizes newborn to 12 months)
- Blankets
- Towelling nappies
- Unused disposable nappies
- Unused toiletries
- Any knitted baby items
“We are particularly in desperate need of baby boys’ clothing for our March visit,” says Kim Griffith Jones, co-ordinator of the foundation. “As we host these projects all year long, we would be so grateful for any community donations as, and when, your babies are growing out of their clothes. What a blessing to know that your little one’s outfits are getting a second life, clothing a newborn who otherwise would’ve had nothing,” said Kim.
Drop-off points:
- Mum’s Mail, 2 Romsey Grove, Durban North
- Broadway Pharmacy, Shop 11, Medical Centre, Swapo Road, Durban North
- Pro Appointments, Suite 6, The Views, 11 The Boulevard, Westway office Park, Westville
- Chilli Source Designs, 62 Old Main Road, Kloof
- Wool ‘n Weave, Lillies Quarters, Old Main Road, Hillcrest
If you’d like to get involved and help to make a difference, contact The Robin Hood Foundation on robinhoodfund@telkomsa.net
