Project Isabella was established in honour of Isabella Bosman.
A Parow-based organisation is appealing to the public to assist them with helping mothers with premature babies by donating baby items.
Project Isabella was established in October 2022 in honour of Isabella Bosman, the daughter of Gaynor Bosman, managing director of The Front Runners Foundation (TFRF).
The short-term aim of the project is to donate “durable baby packs” to mothers and their premature babies at maternity wards at hospitals, says Ms Bosman.
TFRF is a non-profit organisation that focuses on the holistic development of people in the Parow area.
The foundation was established in December 2020 as a support system for community members affected by the increase in crime in the area.
The first handover of baby packs will take place on Isabella’s first birthday, 20 January 2023, at the Karl Bremer Hospital’s maternity ward. Mothers and staff members present at the time will also be receiving a gift.
Ms Bosman was due to give birth to Isabella at the end of February this year, but she was born prematurely at Karl Bremer Hospital in January.
"Mothering in the incubator room is a life on its own," says Ms Bosman. “Witnessing babies at 1.3kg proves that we serve a miracle-working God.”
She says that the time spent nursing and feeding Isabella in the neonatal intensive care unit made her realise the importance of a project that focuses on the well-being of mothers and their babies.
"Mothers are exhausted, stressed, hopeful, and prayerful. They desire only the best for their little ones. Doctors are literally falling over their feet due to the inundated requests and having to work two shifts in a row.
”I asked myself a question: how can I be of value to my community?"
The organisation’s long-term goal is to open a mom and baby development dare centre in Parow.
They aim to provide mothers with one-on-one counselling by qualified counsellors after they’ve given birth as well as workshops on how to handle premature babies throughout their various growth stages.
Ms Bosman says that they hope to provide a recovery space for mothers once they’ve been discharged from hospital.
“I recall being at hospital and a few moms were in distress due to their other children being at home in the care of relatives. A few moms had to leave the baby and rush home just to prepare their things for school and rush back to hospital.”
The care packs will include items such as baby clothing, wipes, toiletries as well as postpartum care items for mothers.
TFRF relies on donations from the public and will be accepting donations towards Project Isabella until the end of the year.