Let’s spoil them!!

Posted on May 16, 2012 by

As most of you know this past Sunday was Mothers day.  This is of course a very special day.  I would really really love to spoil all our wonderful, amazing moms.  Our next meet is coming up on the 26th of May. I have managed to get them each a little something small but what I really want to do is SPOIL them.  I know that for most moms when you spoil their children you spoil them too but I want it to be about them.  Them as mothers, them as women, them as individuals.

So I am asking you,  If you have any ideas, connections, products, samples, contacts please please please help me spoil them.  This really would mean so much to me and I know it would make them smile and feel as special as they really are.

Pretty please :)  and thank you :D

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Quiet – but not gone.

Posted on May 15, 2012 by

I know we have been really quiet here lately.  I have had so much going on in my private life.

We have still had our monthly meets and they have been going great.  Our moms are doing well and together we are going to achieve great things.  We have many new faces and a few old familiar faces haven’t been around as much.  I am still in touch with them though and they are well.  They know we are always here if and when they need us or just want to ‘visit’.

Please remember that we still need your help.  Spreading the word, reaching the ‘right’ people is still really important.  Donations and services are amazing too.  We really appreciate and value every bit of help.  Thank you so much to everyone that has helped us so far.  You’re awesome.

The lovely Mrs Anne Houghting has been knitting up a storm for us and this winter every baby and child will have at least one warm, gorgeous jersey.  We are also working on making sure every mommy also has a lovely jersey of their own.  Nothing beats a nice warm, cosy jersey on a cold day don’t you think?  Thank you so much Mrs Houghting!  Anyone else have any knitting skills they would like to put to use for us?  Or have any wool we can pass on to Mrs Houghting?  Please get in touch if you do.  It would be most appreciated.

Crompton Hospital is still our venue for our monthly meets.  They have been so amazing and kind to us.  They really accommodate us and always make sure we have everything we need.  Thank you so much Crompton.  Sr Patricia, you are amazing and your help and support means the world to us.  Thank you!

I have to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported, helped, donated and talked about us.  Without your support I would not have been able to do as much.  Our moms have become part of my family and thanks to you we are making a difference.  Thank you.

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21 January 2012: Meet update

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

I have been so excited to start off 2012 with our first meeting.  With the help of Heidi and Jacqui we’ve planned so much for the year.  A big part of our year is to introduce our moms to different ideas and ways to be better.  Better mothers, better women, better informed.  Show them ways to be independent, earn money, reach goals and overcome challenges.  Most importantly, show them that they can, that they are special and that they deserve it.  That anything is possible with a dream or idea, hard work and support.

We made diary /calendars for each mom.  The provisional dates for our meets for the whole year are noted.  There is enough space to write goals, make appointments or note anything they might want to.  Each mom also got an exercise book.  They can use this book to make notes during talks, note questions they want to ask and stick any notes they get in the book.

Exercise books

Calendars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This meet was all about finding ways to earn a bit of money on the side or earn money to save for that something they want to do.  Earning money without needing to have a qualification, finding daycare for their children or even worry about transport costs.  Of course this is not the dream job that many of them are working towards or dreaming about but it is a temporary solution to ever present money problems.

Debbie Cunningham was there to tell us more about GNLD and how you can earn money from it.  Jacqui Cousins told us more about Amway products and worked out what the best products would be for our moms to start with.  Debbie Riggien had a number of Avon products and all the brochures our moms might need to start with.  Then Michael and Warren told us all about ChisaFaya spices.  Our moms could get the spices at a discounted price and sell it at the normal price that you would buy it for in the shops.  They also told us about doing promotions with Liquid Touch Promotions.  Thank you to each and every one of you for giving us your time and sharing your secrets.

After the talks we all spent some time chatting and catching up.  If you have joined our Facebook page you will know that Celiwe – who we had the mini baby shower for at our 17 December get together – had her baby boy on the 20th of December.  It would seem that we had that shower just in time.  I managed to go and visit her when baby was just a few hours old.  At the time she didn’t have a name for him but that has changed.  She has decided that he will be knows as Junior.  On Saturday he was exactly one month and one day old.  Still so tiny yet a world of opportunity awaits.  Celiwe also had a birthday in January and we surprised her with a card from all of us and a little gift.

We also had a new face or two.  Not many moms showed and I am hoping that it is just a case of January being a long month and money is tight all around.  I will be checking in with everyone over the next few days and hopefully in February we will have a full house.

I need to take a moment and just say thank you again to everyone for their help.  Heidi, you have been amazing and such a help with getting everything organized in time.  Jacqui, thank you for giving so much of your time, especially when your schedule has been so hectic lately.  Every single person involved, thank you!  It really takes a village.

**for more photo’s and information join our Facebook Page**

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Kicking off 2012

Posted on January 5, 2012 by

Teen Mom Support Group KZN started in April 2011 with 4 young moms at our first meeting. Since that very first meeting we have grown in leaps and bounds.  Generous people have made donations and because of this, we have been able to assist with food parcels, provide clothes for the babies, provide moms with gift packs filled with baby essentials and pack gift bags for the maternity ward.

We’ve had informational talks and craft sessions.  We’ve laughed, shared and cried.  We shared our dreams and discussed our fears.  We have become a family.

We ended the year with a Christmas party but it was also a celebration of how far we have come.  I have learnt so much from every single person I have been in contact with.  Every day I learn something new and hopefully this will make me better.  Better to help, advise, plan and share.

2012 is going to be a big year!  We have so much planned for this year.   We want to focus even more on empowerment and providing opportunities for our moms to be the best they can be.  Providing them with the information is vital.  We will be working even harder on getting sponsorships for courses / training and mentorships.  I am making calendars / diaries so that each of them can keep track of their goals and appointments as well. We will be more actively involved individually with each mom.  Hopefully very soon we will also have our NPO registration completed as well.  Like I said, a big year!

I hope that every single young mom out there that needs a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen will reach us.  I hope that we can continue to change how some young moms feel about themselves.  That we can lift them up, love them and support them in every way they need.  I hope that people will reach out and help us, talk about us and support us.

Above all else, I hope that you will stick with us through this journey.

 

Happy 2012!

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17 December 2011: Christmas Party

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

Our very last meet for the year.  What a year it has been.

We have such a diverse group and all with different religions.  We realized that if we made it completely Christmas that some of our moms would not be able to attend.  We are still fairly new (not even 1 year old) so we thought that this year our ‘Christmas’ party would be about love and fun.

We started off with having a surprise mini baby shower for our soon to be new mommy Celiwe.  She was blown away by the goodies she has received.  Some of you might remember that the father of the baby is not very interested and she had nothing for baby.  All she had was goodies she had collected from our meets.  Everyone in the room was so happy for her and quite a few tears were shed.  So much love in the room.

We then played some games and there were little prizes to be won.  Everyone got a few prizes towards the end but the excitement, music and fun really got everyone in the festive mood.

We had some donated party packs for all the children that included a book, bubbles and some sweeties.  They were so excited and some couldn’t believe their eyes.  Then we had some gifts for mom with a little something just for her.

Then the fun started!!  Christmas presents!  All the kids came up one by one to collect their present carefully selected just for them.  I lost count of the little hugs and slobbery kisses I received.  It was magical!

Of course none of this would have been possible without some help:

To Sr Patrica and the staff at Crompton Hospital.  Thank you for giving us a space and always looking after us so well.

To Jacqui Cousins,  Thank you for the snacks (especially the fabulous quiche), the prizes, some presents.  Most of all, thank you for being there.  Your help is so much appreciated.

To Heidi Beckett,  Thank you for brainstorming, for being there, for listening to me worry.  Thank you for the gorgeous pens!

To Vanessa Drimmie and family, Thank you for the gorgeous party packs and the gifts.  Words can’t express.

To my husband, Willie Roberts, Thank you for all the food and snacks!  You’re the best.

To every single person that has been in touch throughout the year.  Thank you!  For every cent, for every encouraging word, for telling your friends about us, for all the goodies, for all the love.  Because of every single one of you,  this was possible!!

We had a few extra presents left over so we decided to take them to the hospital children ward to be handed out there.  Spreading the love!!

Pop on over to our Facebook page to see more pictures. I am embarrassed to say that I forgot to take the camera and had to use my phone, which I also had to use for some of the games.  Next time I will get someone to JUST take photos.

Again, thank you to everyone that has been there throughout the year.  Your support has meant so much to me and I hope that we grow in leaps in bounds from here on.

From our family to yours.  Have a very merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.  May 2012 hold success for all of us!

 

 

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26 November 2011 meet update

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

We had a fabulous time on Saturday.  I printed out cards that could be coloured and some other crafty goodies and armed with crayons, pencils, glitter glue and coloured ice cream sticks we were able to spend the day being kids.

We had so much fun.  We chatted and laughed and teased.  I was on baby duty and loved it.  I had hurt my back during the week but my intention was to spend the time with the kids colouring and making cards for their moms.  Instead we set them up to colour at their own ‘table’ and I took the smaller babies so that moms had their hands free.  I was able to spend some one on one time with everyone and just chat.  Just be.

We had so much fun and everyone said how nice it was to just be like children.  When last did you just sit down and colour in a picture?

One of our moms, Angel, had extra reason to celebrate.  A few months ago she had to send her baby boy to family so that she could get her education and work to earn some money.  He came back a few weeks ago.  He has grown so much since we last saw him and her smile was twice the size as well.  It was great!

Angel and her baby boy

**You can see all the picture on our Facebook page**

Please don’t forget:  Anyone who would like to help out with planning, marketing, fundraising or spending time with us at our meets.  Please get in touch.  You can find more info here.  Anything you can think of to get involved would be much appreciated.

 

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Any volunteers?

Posted on November 25, 2011 by

We have come a long way since having our very first meet in April 2011.  We have made a difference.  We have helped.  Our moms have become like my family and I love every single minute I get to spend with them.

I hope that we will grow and reach more people but I just can’t do it all by myself anymore.  It has been extremely hard for me to ask for things and assistance but I have learnt to do it and some amazing people have stepped up and helped us.  Thank you so much for all your kindness and love.  There is an awful lot that goes into just our monthly meets alone.  Planning, organising, cooking, baking, fundraising, finding speakers, making sure I get some time to chat to each of our moms, etc, etc.

So I am asking for help.  I can’t do it all by myself anymore and our moms will be the ones suffering.  If you have time and would like to assist me with admin, fundraising, marketing, organising, loving, sharing then please get in touch.  I am not asking for 100% of your time, just whatever you have to give, all I ask is 100% commitment.

I do have some requirements but the most important:  You have to believe in what we are doing.  No judgement.  Just love!

Do you want to be part of the team?  Do you think you can help?  Please get in touch.  You can get in touch via Facebook or Twitter, The “contact us” tab or email me on info@teenmomsupportkzn.co.za.

Thank you!!

 

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29 October 2011 Meet Update

Posted on November 4, 2011 by

We had another fabulous time when we got together for our monthly meet.  Many of our moms notified me that they would not be able to make it as they were in the middle of exams (I am as well which is why this post is a few days late).  Even though I missed them terribly I am super proud that they are so invested in their education.  So please keep all our fabulous moms in your thoughts while they are writing exams.

At our previous meet many of our moms were asking about contraception etc so I asked Sr Patricia from The Crompton Hospital if she knew anyone and she very kindly offered to come over and chat to us.  She is the unit manager of the women’s health unit so I couldn’t think of anyone better to do it.  She is the kindest, most loving lady I know and she told us all about contraception and answered all the questions.  She then asked if they had any questions at all about anything related to women’s health.  She had a variety of questions about women’s health, breastfeeding and even told us how important it is to get checks and check their breasts for lumps.  She also told us what our rights were should we go to a clinic and how confidential those visits are.  She shared some of her personal experiences and encouraged us to talk to someone when something is wrong.  She told us where to get hold of her and said her door is always open if anyone wants to get in touch with her for information or ask questions.  She ended by saying how she believes they could do anything and be anything they wanted.  With hard work and support they could make their dreams come true – She did!!  Thank you so much sr Patricia.  Your support is overwhelming and the love you shared will not be forgotten.

We have already planned to do this again in January seeing as some of our moms couldn’t be there.  The cherry on the cake was that sr Patricia bought us each a bag filled with goodies.  Lots of information and a few samples.

Cara from Kidzworld couldn’t be with us on Saturday but she sent a Toddler Sense book for each of our moms.  I love those books and I know of many people that has found it to be super helpful.  Thank you so much Cara, we loved it!

As usual, Cherubs have been amazing and sent us each a pack a wet wipes as well.  Thank you Cherubs.  Also, a huge thank you to Bennetts who sent us some lovely samples to include in our maternity gift bags.  Thank you so much Bennetts!  Now all we need are some more gift bags.  If anyone has some lying around we sure would love them.  Or if you have a contact that would also be very much appreciated.

I had a chance to speak to one of our expecting moms privately and she shared some news with me.  She wasn’t ready to discuss it with the others yet and I won’t break her trust but she also mentioned to me that the father of the baby has been treating her so badly and seems to not be interested at all.  Baby is due in less than 2 months and she has nothing except for any goodies she has received while attending the meets.  She was heartbroken.  I know and she knows that we have some goodies for her.  Clothes and some nappies etc we can arrange but I think that is beside the point for her.  She wants to have a joyful experience and instead it is filled with angst and worry.  I really hope that we can turn this around for her.  We might not be able to take all her worries away but we can love her and support her and give her what we can.  We can hope that it will make a difference.

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a mom.  She was telling me that she was feeling super down and that she wasn’t interested in anything.  She needed someone to talk to.  After chatting to her for a while I suggested to her that she might want to consider seeing a doctor and discuss PND.  She had never heard of it before and one day she was watching Great Expectations while they were discussing it.  On the show they had a number you could call and after speaking to them she made an appointment and saw a doctor.  She came to our meet for the first time on Saturday and afterwards she told me that it has only been two weeks but that she already feels so much better.  She couldn’t believe that she had been in such a dark place.  She is encouraged again to continue with her studies.  She is enjoying her life again.  I was so happy to hear it that I even got tears in my eyes.  From the few conversations we had before and the person I saw on Saturday I could see such a huge difference.  She was happier.  So thank you Great Expectations for educating and helping.

At the end of the meet we shared in joy, shared in sadness and got loads of information with a few goodies to top it off.  Most of all, there is so much love and support in that room.

**You can see all the photo’s on our Facebook page**

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We need YOUR help

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

One of the hardest things for me while starting this group has been to ask for help.  Yet here I am, asking for YOUR help.

We have had so many people who have helped with spreading the word, making monetary donations, donating food and clothes.  Thank you.  Without you we would not be where we are today.  Heidi set up a challenge on our Facebook Page.  She has made a pledge to donate R10 a month and challenged everyone else to do the same.  Thank you so much Heidi and to every single person who has taken up the challenge.  The littlest bit can make a huge difference!

If you are on Facebook, please join our page.  Share our page and tell your friends.  We can reach more people if more people know about us.  Word of mouth has been the best way of getting the word out.  Even better, if you are in a position to get us some exposure please get in touch.  Even if you just have followers on a blog or on twitter.  If you have ideas on how we can reach young moms.  Please get in touch.  I would appreciate the help and support so much.

I have a few meetings lined up but I would appreciate all the help in spreading the word.  If you believe that we are making a difference, if you believe in us, thank you!  If you have any suggestions feel free to get in touch.  I would love to hear from you.

We have submitted our application to register as NPO.  It is taking a bit longer than we had hoped but you are welcome to check us out on DSD website under “check if the Directorate received your organizations application” .  As soon as we receive any feedback I will post it.

You can contact me via email:  info@teenmomsupportkzn.co.za

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24 September 2011 Meet update

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

We had our get together on Saturday (24 September) which also happened to be heritage day.  I did try to change the date but everything was already set up so I ended up sticking to the public holiday.  Quite a few of our moms had been in touch to say they wouldn’t be able to make so I was really only expecting a hand full of moms.

I was very surprised when we ended up with 11 moms.  I did not have anyone doing a talk for them as I had a few things I wanted to talk about with our moms as well as the fact that it was a holiday.  We had a lovely time just chatting, answering questions, sharing stories and being girls.  As usual the kids a great time playing with each other.  The little outside garden at Crompton Hospital really is so nice for them.

We discussed so much.  It was really lovely to have our moms open up so much.  To see them just be them.

One of the topics that came up was how to get more people to know about us.  They told me that they were getting so much from being part of this group.  That just being acknowledged made such a difference to them.  Knowing that they have somewhere to go and someone to talk to means they don’t have to worry about being afraid.  That the friendships they have made have carried on outside of the group.  I told them that I hope more people would know about us.  That it isn’t only for moms who are afraid or in trouble.  So I asked them for their help.  I asked them what they thought I could do.  Where I should go.  Who I should speak to.  They all jumped on board and took a handful of flyers to hand out.  They said they were going to tell the people in their communities and schools.   They gave me ideas of where they think I should go.  Thank you.  To the beautiful, strong, talented and committed moms who have become like family.  Thank you.  Not only for your encouragement and support (that is after all what you come for) but for the love!

I am also so proud.  A group of moms have all gone on a life skills course and got their certificate.  So in part we had a little something to celebrate on Saturday as well.

Our next get together is scheduled for 29 October 2011.  Please keep an eye on our event tab for details.

I have also started planning on our Christmas get together.  I really want to make it special so if you can help, have ideas, have connections, have people that listen to you then PLEASE let me know.  Margaret from Chisa Faya has kindly offered to help with venue but there is still loads more that is needed.  Not to mention the prezzies!!!  :D

**You can see more photos on our Facebook Page**

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