The support group format has
proven very successful for Bosom Buddies. It offers counselling and support,
but more than that, companionship and rapport between people in similar
circumstances or recovering from similar problems. It is disappointing that our
groups aren’t always as well supported as we would like. People don’t recognise
the benefits of this format and often might consider it too much effort to join
our groups. However, support groups fall in line perfectly with the spirit of
Ubuntu and community support and enhancement.
Our most successful support group
is at the School of Hope, where I meet with the ‘Funky Females’ on Friday
mornings. This is a group of young women who have had children or are pregnant
while attending school. I have built a strong relationship with these girls and
love them. Our group is honest and the only rule we have is that everything we
talk about is confidential. The beautiful result is to witness the friendships
that has been formed between the girls. They are there for each other and
support one another even when I am not there. They trust each other, cry
together, laugh together and share this difficult journey of motherhood, even more
complicated since they are single and school-going.
Thank you School of Hope, what a
privilege to share our resources, to work together and to give hope.
Oversees support for Bosom Buddies
We are blessed to have supporters
from all over the world. Lately we have had more donations from the UK than
locally – can you believe that?
Our donations come by mail, or
sent in the luggage of travellers. The power of the social media has shrunk the
world so hugely that we have friends reading our stories and being touched by
our moms, from all over the world. We have also hosted many international
visitors at Thembalitsha, who then go home and collect and fundraise for us. At
this time I would like to dedicate our blog to these people and thank you so
very much for your effort and expense.
Carry On 4 Babies, such an
awesome initiative, sending baby stuff with travellers to SA from the UK.
Old dear friend Zoe Lee.
The Simmons’ who bring a huge
case every 6 months – and thanks to their friends and family who collect
year-round.
Aunt Jan sends a package every
second week! Somewhere in London are grannies knitting beautiful caps and
booties and I know that this is so enormously special to the mother who is
nursing her little premature baby here at our hospital. To be so thought of and
loved by a stranger from afar is a hugely humbling and privileged feeling.
Roadside pick-up of a suitcase all the way from the UK!
