What is Bosom Buddies all about?

 

BOSOM BUDDIES 

 

INTRODUCTION

WHO WE ARE

 Bosom Buddies is a non-profit Christian organization that services a local state hospital providing nappy bags with clothing, blankets and products for the newborn as well as hygiene products for the mother. We personally deliver the bags to each mom and spend one-on-one time with each baby and mother. By doing this we ensure that no baby goes home without being adequately clothed and each mom feels that their community do care and the birth is recognized and celebrated. We ensure the mothers of premature infants who are involved in kanga care, have access to free tea & coffee supplies as well as a few food basics. 

HOW DID BOSOM BUDDIES EVOLVE?

When I trained to be a Doula, I needed as much practical experience as possible. I did births at Mowbray Maternity,

Stellenbosch

 

Provincial

 

Hospital

,

Hottentots

 

Holland

 

Hospital

,

Tygerberg

 

Hospital

, and the very swanky Vergelegen Medi-clinic.

I was horrified at the ridiculous difference between state and private. 

At the state hospitals woman arrive in a taxi all alone, often in labour, mostly in pain, and always afraid. They birth alone, nameless except for the general title of “Mama”. There is no privacy, no dignity. At one state hospital they are all given morphine although not consulted or informed of risks to baby. Epidurals are non-existent. Even gas is no where to be seen except the scar on the wall where it was once in use. No birth balls, no water, no choice. And then they leave with their infant and often nothing else, not even clothes or a blanket, in the crowded taxi back to the townships.

At the private hospital mothers receive a nappy bag filled with goodies they don’t actually need. And the state moms? Nothing!

This will just not do!

WHAT WE DO?

So what can we do about their experience? Not too much about their birthing experience yet. But, we do make gorgeous nappy bags for the moms and their newborns.  We fill them with a Babygro, vest, booties, warm knitted jersey and a cosy hat. We throw in a blanket, sanitary pads and a few disposables. We identify extra needy moms and we include toweling nappies, a snappi and waterproofs in some of the bags. (I hope to have this in every bag soon) We also include a few baby products such as Vaseline or powder and sometimes toothpaste and toothbrush for mom. We attach a beautiful handcrafted card to the bag and the gift is ready.

Just before we hand out the bags we pop in a packet of crunchies or muffins. We presently deliver bags on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and are averaging +- 190 a month. We probably cover about 80% of the mothers but that is going to change and we aim to bless EVERY mother by next year. 

Sadly the hospital we visit is high risk so we often have stillbirths. We make sure we have a plain bag filled with pads and toiletries and something pretty for the mom. We attach a sympathy card and just sit and hold them a while. What can you possibly say to someone who had to deliver a dead baby or had one die at birth. These women have to share a ward with the other mothers and their healthy live babies. Hectic!

WHO HELPS?

A whole bunch of amazing woman who love and care for the vulnerable woman in our community. We have a few ladies who meet once a week to pack bags and sort clothing. Another group make the cards. A precious few who sew the bags (never enough) and then the team who come on the hospital visits. We split up and each go to a mother so we can spend time with them admiring their baby, asking them how THEY are doing. Just caring and sharing in the miracle of their new infant. We ask them if we can pray for the baby and for the mom during the crazy hard hormonal time she now finds herself in. The people who help are stretching further and further into the world. My blog has been amazing in getting international aid for our project. In winter we put a knitted jersey and cap into each bag.  I have Oumie in

Strand

who is 78 years old and way more energy than I ever have. She knits me a jersey a day and 30 wooly beanies a week.  Blessing these ladies blesses us in turn. They inspire me, so strong and brave with big loud laughs and a smile despite the harsh circumstances many of them face. I am humbled and awed at how they raise their kids and are the backbone of their families.

WHERE WE ARE HEADED?

Firstly we are trying to get enough product and financial sponsorship to have each bag completely stocked with essentials. 

Then it’s onto enough bags to cover every mom. Finally I go out and “sell” the idea to woman in different communities so that they can take care of the woman in their own local state hospitals. Our first area is Stellenbosch and then Grabouw and Macasser. I want to create an awareness amongst privileged mothers in communities and foster a culture of giving and compassion. We are hoping to get new premises so that we can provide more postnatal support. We would like a place for moms to come to weigh babies, get breastfeeding advice, basic nutrition, first aid courses, baby massage and so much more. The ladies who sew the bags will work at the premises so that they can teach new moms skills if they wish to learn to sew. So much to do but we have started and I can see we are making a difference in the lives of these women. I feel so lucky to be part of this project and to share in the celebration of new South African babies.

VISION

Bosom Buddies aims to have all mothers with their newborns, who birth at a

State

 

Hospital

, to experience a warm & caring welcome into the world. No newborn will go home without being warmly dressed and wrapped snuggly in a blanket.

MISSION

• Our      initial and immediate goal is ensuring our 1^st Hospital,

  Hottentots

   

  Holland

   

  Hospital

  , is      completely provided for in the Maternity section
• We will      go from 190 bags a month to 220 bags by early next year thus ensuring      every mom & baby receives a bag
• We plan      to do this by obtaining financial sponsorship as well as suitable product      donations
• We will      create an increasing awareness of the plight of underprivileged mothers      amongst their more fortunate “sisters” who birth at private hospitals 
• We will      also as far as possible provide spiritual, emotional & practical      support for maternity staff to make their lives a little easier.
• We will      promote Bosom Buddies to different communities ensuring that they take      ownership of their own local state hospital
• We will      find new premises and open up our post natal support centre
• The      following communities will be targeted initially by Bosom Buddies to ensure      the relevant local hospitals are covered

Stellenbosch

Grabouw

Macassar

Surrounding areas of Mowbray Maternity

• We will      continuously market Bosom Buddies ensuring as much media attention as      possible to ensure ongoing support & sponsorship.

RESOURCES NEEDED

Due to the nature of the bag contents we get much of the contents sponsored from companies with soon to expired products or damaged packaging. We do of course need financial sponsorship as well to purchase what we are short of and just general running costs. We pay no salaries other than money to farm workers and a lady in Khayalitsha who sew for us when their season is over. The following resources are needed:

• Fabric      for the bags
• Fleece      fabric for the blankets
• Wool for      the jerseys
• Baby-gros      and vests in newborn & 0-3 months size
• Disposable      nappies
• 4 Terri cloth      nappies with 1 snappi and 2 waterproofs per bag
• Surgical      spirits and cotton buds for cord care
• Baby      products such as Vaseline, aqueous cream, powder & shampoo
• Sanitary      pads for the mother (one of our biggest needs and expenses)
• Suitable      snacks and beverages for the kanga care mothers who stay in the hospital      for extended periods with their premature infants
• Books and      games for the pediatric ward
• Microwave,      mini fridge and kettle for the pediatric ward
• A house      to rent for a reasonable rental or better still, a house donated!

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES…….WHERE CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED?

We rely solely on volunteers to run the operation and visit the mothers. 

The beauty of the project is that the needs are specific and unique so everyone has something to offer in the running of BB.

The following are areas where you can commit your time, skills & energy:

• Sewing of      the bags (material is provided)
• Knitting      jerseys, hats & booties
• Packing      of the bags (done weekly once a week)
• Baking of      suitable goods for the bags
• Collection      of infant clothing & other goods from suppliers & sponsors
• Attending      hospital visits (Mondays or Thursdays at 9.00am)
• Marketing      BB to potential sponsors and obtaining funding
• Praying      for BB and the mothers and babies
• Making      cards
• Painting      the pediatric ward as well as doing a mural once the base paint is done

When we have enough practical help and financial & product sponsorship we will be able to cover each mother as well as get the project started in other areas.

We are excited to see this project mushroom!

Comments

[angel]

what are your views on starting a bosom buddies in pretoria...?

[Ann]

Hi there

Please let me know if there is something similar in Joburg that I can get involved with.
Many thanks
Ann

[Allie]

I came across a great fundraising opportunity for nonprofits I thought I'd share. It's an innovative online retailer similar to amazon.com, called Giveline (www.giveline.com). Each time you (or anyone else) makes a purchase on Giveline a percentage of the profit goes to the organization of your choice that you pick during checkout. In your case, Bosom Buddies. If you're interested in signing up Bosom Buddies, go to www.giveline.com/cause. Then, you can encourage friends, family, supporters, etc. to do their everyday online shopping and benefit your organization at the same time! Good Luck, and I hope this helps!

[Bev]

Have you seen this on the KFM website?

"We’re not asking you to move buildings or re-invent the wheel – quite simply, we’re asking you to make a difference, inspire us and win a charity R20 000 in home shopping vouchers from Pick n Pay.The challenge is set, for the next few weeks, “The Power To Inspire” is in your hands!

Go on, pledge your help and win a charity R20 000 in home shopping vouchers from Pick n Pay."

I've nominated BB!! All fingers crossed that you win the R20 000!!

[Megan Hughes]

Hi there
I would like to get involved, helping packing bags, visitations etc.
Please contact me to give me details, thank you.

[SCY]

I also nominated you on Joburg's sister station Highveld for the power to inspire thing PNP are doing so hopefully you'll win!

[Amber Ferguson]

This sounds fantastic and i would love to get involved, i am here from NZ and have been a Doula for only a short time but i am passionate about the welfare of Mums and Bubs and partners. please send me info on how i can support you.
Thank you

[Emily Holt]

Mel, I live in the US and would like to get some friends together to make a donation. Is it better to send supplies, or money ? Please send some details. Keep up the good work.

[Caroline Fraser]

Hi,
I have about 10 bags full of childrens clothes and toys and i am looking for somewhere to donate them, I would love for them to go to africa and I stumbeld across your siblings website, i sent them an e-mail and they directed me here. I dont really want to have to send them myself, ideally I would like them to be picked up but I am willing to drive within a 100 mile radius of where I live (stratford-upon-avon.
Hope I can help!

[christine erasmus]

do you have a bank account details for donations?

[Samantha McCarthy Crowe]

Hi, Melanie

Not sure if you remember me we where together at Fairmont?

I would love to get involved. I live out in Durbanville.

I work part time but I can work around that.

Let me know where you are needing help?

Chat soon,
Sam

[Rosemary]

I am so interested in getting involved. I live in the Northern suburbs, but can travel and would really love to help.

[Erica Wood]

I'd love to contribute in time - for sewing, packing or visiting to deliver etc,. I live in Somerset West, but am happy to travel to all areas of the Peninsula or outlying areas.

Erica Wood

[Ivy]

I came over from Jeanne, of Cook Sister, to congratulate you for the award she has bestowed upon you and I see that you truly deserve this. You are doing a great job here.

[Kelly Smith]

Hi, im a nursing sister (with Midwifery). Im currently a stay at home mom. I have been searching for something that really calls me and i watched you on TV and was blown away.I live in Durban and would love to start something like this here, i also so have to agree with you when you said the state hospital birthing experience is so vastly different to that of private.We are all woman giving birth with the same feelings but are treated so differently.I think there is such a need in that department.My domestic worker had a baby a few years back and she never even had a pillow on her bed let alone linen.
Let me know where do we start.
Kelly - KZN

[kirsty]

hi
you came and spoke to us at rhenish girls high and i was wondering - how do we get involved in somerset west?how often ?is there an age limit ? loads of luv

[Wendy Grey]

Are you currently delivering baby bags to any hospitals in the Southern Suburbs or do you know of any organisations that are doing the same work as you in Southern Suburbs.