- The Thula Baba Project is a growing nonprofit organisation (NPO) based in Tokai that supports mothers and babies in the poor and violent areas of the Cape Flats.
- It does so by providing incentive packs for attendance at classes and clinic visits, as well as fostering the formation of support groups for new mothers.
- In a bid to raise funds, Thula Baba will be hosting two quiz nights in Constantia in the coming months and invites the community’s support.
Two quick-thinking, fast-talking and fun-filled quiz nights are greatly anticipated in Constantia in the coming months, dedicated to raising funds for the Thula Baba Project that supports pregnant and new mothers in the Cape Flats.
The project is a growing non profit organisation (NPO) based in Tokai. It supports mothers and babies in the poor and violent areas of the Cape Flats with a special focus on encouraging bonding and early literacy. It does so by providing incentive packs for attendance at classes and clinic visits, as well as fostering the formation of support groups for new mothers.
“Founded in 2018, the Thula Baba’s vision is to equip and support underserved mothers to create an environment of bonding and love, focusing on mothers’ early parenting education and involvement,” shared Wendy Purdon, the project’s Communication Manager.
Promoting early literacy forms the springboard for each baby’s positive longer-term development, translating into better outcomes and brighter futures, says the NPO.
According to Purdon, the project’s primary aim is to ensure that children are emotionally, physically and cognitively ready to start school at age six.
“Our objective is for the mothers of the Cape Flats to have the knowledge and tools to provide nurturing care to their babies from the womb to the classroom so that the children can reach their full potential. We believe that mothers who are supported and equipped have the power to change the cycles of poverty and violence in their homes and societies by raising children who are able to take a contributing place in the world.”
Equipping Mothers has been Thula Baba’s original programme since its establishment six years ago. It started with just four mothers and entails pre- and post-natal buckets, including nappies, toiletries, clothing, blankets, books and Early Childhood Development (ECD) toys. These are given as incentives to mothers who have attended a 10-week educational course in early parenting skills.
Protecting Babies is the newest of their programmes and was initially an outreach at clinics during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The clinic sisters shared the struggle they have with encouraging moms to visit the clinic timeously for the required check-ups,” Purdon continued.
For this initiative, incentives include clothing, nappies, books and ECD toys. These are also offered to mothers who take their babies for clinic check-ups and vaccinations. “In addition, Prem babies are given octopus-love soft toys while in incubators and take-home packs are given to premature babies to celebrate the goal weight milestone of just 1,7 kg.
Dressing Babies is another initiative born during the strict Covid-19 lockdown, when mothers were reportedly giving birth with nothing for themselves or their babies.
Emergency packs of non-food essentials, including personalised clothing, toiletries, books and a blanket were handed out at hospitals and clinics and even at some local community feeding programmes.
Upcoming Plans
“These are now gifted to the mothers of babies as a response to fires and floods and are also prepared for partners who work with mothers who are victims of gender-based violence or extreme poverty.”
- Smart Mama
The goal is to create supportive sisterhood cohorts of 10-20 new mothers who live near each other, and who speak the same language, to share their motherhood journey, creating bonds that will strengthen and empower the women in their parenting roles as the first teachers and nurturers.
Each cohort will be centred around a Thula Baba Aunty as their leader.
The Thula Baba Aunties are those community leaders who are already running programmes of some sort or other with New Moms. These women are generally mothers themselves and know their communities. They are also known and trusted by the mothers.
The Aunties will be supervised by coaches who are knowledgeable midwives or sisters. Thula Baba Aunties will have access to an advisory board made up of volunteer doctors, midwives, doulas, counsellors and early education experts in cases of more complex issues or issues outside of their area of comfort.
- Thula Volunteers Clubhouse
Purdon noted that the project is bursting at the seams of their current premises and would ideally like to have a place to work from with greater storage and packing space. “We dream of having an attractive premises where our volunteers, knitters and sewists can gather to work. It would be wonderful to also have a place to host workshops and training for the Smart Mama programme.”
To bring Thula Baba’s plans to fruition, they are organising two quiz night fundraisers this year, scheduled for Saturday 30 April and Wednesday 16 October. These events will be hosted at Christ Church, Constantia and excitement is mounting to have Mano Caldis on board as an experienced quiz master and auctioneer.
“Your support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of pregnant and new mothers in our communities. Together, we make a positive impact and create lasting change.”
For more information or to inquire about ways to support these upcoming quiz nights, send an email to wendy.purdon@thulababaproject.co.za
