A group of women are making sure babies in government hospitals are dressed to impress

Photo Credit: Pexels

A group of women were moved when they heard that babies in Government hospitals are sent home wrapped in newspaper so they decided to change that!

Tambo Memorial Baby Pack Network have been working hard to make sure that new moms and their babies are kitted out with things they may need before going home.

Many women that bring beautiful babies into this world, often don’t have the means to kit their babies out in cute frilly clothing. They rely on family to use hand-me-downs and sometimes they don’t even have access to baby clothes. This is a very sad reality, one that happens in South Africa all too often. Sometimes babies are sent home wrapped in newspaper because there is nothing else.

A group of women in Boksburg, Johannesburg are working hard to change these cold hard facts. They started the Tambo Memorial Baby Pack Network that helps new mothers and their babies.

They collect donations which are then placed into baby packs and distributed to new mothers twice a month.

The packs include: a blanket, disposable nappies, toiletries like sanitary towels and cream as well as 2 sets of clothes. Included in the bags are; a letter of encouragement as well as information regarding breastfeeding, support available after the birth of the baby with the focus on prevention on abandonment of babies.

They distribute about 100 baby packs a month to their local government hospitals. During 2016 the network delivered 1054 hampers to Tambo Memorial Hospital. Their goal for 2017 has been to deliver 1500 packs which they did before the year has ended.

The hampers are given to the new Mommies personally and our volunteers share with them in prayer, blessing and encouragement. It is also our privilege to mourn with the Mommies who have had a stillbirth or whose baby died at birth.

We have been incredibly encouraged by this work and Social Workers at Tambo Memorial have had positive feedback from a number of Mommies seeking assistance after the birth of their children.

The network is always looking for donations. That could be baby supplies, knitted blankets and any other items that make the first few months a little easier for the new moms. You can contact the network here to assist.