Struggling Cape Flats mothers, who are due to give birth during the nationwide lockdown, are receiving a helping hand thanks to an initiative by a Tafelsig community leader.
This week Joanie Fredericks of the Tafelsig Community Action Network (CAN) launched her very own project aimed at helping expectant moms who have been unable to source essential baby items as their due date looms.
The woman, fondly known as Aunty Joanie, has teamed up with Harriet Came, a pre and post-natal yoga specialist, to gather donations and provide sukkeling pregnant women with everything they need to care for their newborn babies.
Aunty Joanie, who has been working hard with the Tafelsig CAN project to provide meals for hungry mense in her community during the lockdown, says the idea was sparked when women started calling her for help.
“As we were so busy looking for food for people, I started getting calls from women saying they are going to kraam in the lockdown, but don’t have any supplies because they were going to go to the shops closer to the time, but the lockdown came very suddenly and stopped people in their tracks,” she explains.
“It is not only unemployed women, even those who have jobs are now stuck at home unable to earn an income.”
She first reached out to Mitchells Plain residents for help and she later met up with Harriet who helped secure donations for 40 women in need.
“The kits include a brand-new baby bath, wipes, clothes, nappies, bottles, toiletries and even maternity pads for after delivery. It even includes baby formula in a case where a mother is unable to breastfeed,” says Auntie Joanie.
“Initially we will hand the kits over to the five moms who appealed for help and later we will give to others in need.”
CARE: Goods include nappies, clothing, wipes, among others
They also plan to have a programme where women will get yoga classes from Harriet to help them cope with stress.
“One man came to me and said his wife is giving birth and they have nothing,” she says.
“I told him to tell her not to worry, it was sorted. But then he came back to me saying his wife did not believe him.
“She was so overwhelmed.”
The duo have named the project the Baby Community Action Network and are calling on Capetonians to assist by providing much needed essentials.