Lifestyle/Community
Moms and newborns get a UJW Mandela Day treat
This year, to commemorate Mandela Day, the UJW Johannesburg played fairy godmother to 250 impoverished moms and their newborn babies at a number of clinics around Johannesburg: Baragwaneth Hospital, Edenvale Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Hillbrow Clinic, Rahima Moosa Hospital, Alexandra Clinic and Natalspruit Hospital.
CINDY KREE
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Every woman in each of those hospitals who had given birth that day, or the night before, was presented by teams of UJW volunteers with a baby starter pack containing a variety of baby items.
The goodies were placed inside sturdy bags which the moms will be able to use to carry their babies’ necessities around with them. But these are no ordinary bags – they are instead special bags made up by the UJW’s Sewing School, its very successful empowerment project which operates in the Johannesburg inner city.
The delighted moms were also spoiled by the UJW, each one receiving an additional gift pack for mom.
In addition, every child who was present that day at the Hillbrow Family Clinic, received a toy. About 100 children a day visit the clinic – and their delight was palpable!
The UJW has been participating in Mandela Day since its inception and while every project has been wonderful, members were particularly excited about this year’s project.
The community’s response to the appeal for the items was, as always, most heartwarming and UJW are so appreciative.
Arther Vandershelden; Sister Legora; Aaron Kahanovitz; Helena Kahanovitz; Hayley Lasarow; Shani Lasarow; Ellen Mabuya; Kayli Altmuner; and Sister Teresa – PHOTOGRAPH BY CINDY KREE