 |
| Myself, Tuli & Granny Rose |
As I am busy doing our volunteer roster for shifts to Helderberg Hospital over the next few months, I remember that it is a year ago since I did my very first roster as new manager of Bosom Buddies. What a year it has been for us all. Currently we have 19 active volunteers for Heldeberg Hospital and a further 3 who visit Macassar Day hospital. Another 4 women serve on the Babies Born Sleeping team, though on hold for now, they are ready to be called at a moment’s notice. A bunch of beautiful, inspirational and committed women. I cannot ask for a better team and am so grateful to every one of you.
What motivates someone to volunteer? Some of our volunteers have been with Bosom Buddies for longer than me, even Mel who retired as leader, is back as volunteer. Granny Rose is in the Bosom Buddies stock room packing bags and sorting donations every morning. I know our volunteers love Bosom Buddies, and what we do. We love to cuddle those newborns, to share in this very special time with the new moms and to feel that we are touching a life, making a difference in some small yet significant way.
Over the past few months I have told several stories of women we have met at the hospital. In all these women’s lives, we have had an important impact. I have no doubt that they will never forget Bosom Buddies, the woman who prayed for her and with her, for her baby. Who spoke to her about breastfeeding or birth control, who perhaps shared a story about her own children. Who planted that mustard seed of caring and Faith in this woman’s heart. I believe she will remember this and show this kindness in her own community, perhaps reach out to someone else in kindness, perhaps remember the peace that the prayer brought. Let’s not underestimate the power of prayer. So many women cry when we pray for them. I think it is such a relief for them to feel that here is someone who cares, someone praying for them only and wishing a beautiful life for their child. Our words are filled with ten-fold the worth through our prayer and faith. Whether we pray for a sick baby, a beautiful healthy baby, a mother in the midst of a difficult birth, imagine the value.
This month I would like my volunteers to know that I appreciate and cherish you, and I thank you. I know it is hard sometimes, draining and frustrating. I also feel angry and discouraged when I meet a 16-year-old girl having her second child, or a 34-year-old woman having her eighth child or the drug-addicted mom who doesn’t seem to care. I cry buckets of tears every time I dress a baby born sleeping. I feel my heart break when I see the tiny little prem babies full of tubes and dressings in the incubators. And I am so sorry for the moms labouring all alone, often not even speaking the same language of the nurses. But I would like to encourage you that you DO make a huge difference. These women will remember you, and all the stories we collect are used to teach other women. Every prayer, smile and gentle touch by you is exceptional and uplifting. Most of all – enjoy the cuddles, the newborn smells and precious time spent with the mothers.
Frances
