A visit to the Mafakatini clinic has opened new doors
for us to take our perinatal education program further into the hills. We will
be starting our first six week course in the clinic on the 16th
July, giving the clinic sisters an opportunity to “recruit” some ladies for our
first class. It is hoped that we will be able to bring hope and the LOVE of
Christ to these women who are often unsupported during their pregnancy and road
to motherhood.
In Mpophomeni we celebrated this week with a reunion
of the mothers that have attended the groups since our inception in June 2012. 39
women, plus their babies, and other siblings squeezed into the upstairs room at
Masibambane. Thuniywe, Nellie and Zonke were also there to share in the joy. It
was wonderful to share some insights into the role of mothers in the holistic
development of their children, and to encourage them to PLAY with their babies!
We look forward to a time in our community when children who are failing to
attain their milestones will receive whatever treatment they can, so that they
can become fully functioning members of our society.
When asked how Perinatal education fits in with HIV
prevention my responses are always sketchy. Obviously the PMTCT and exclusive
breastfeeding information that we share will help to reduce mother to child
transmission. It is however that un-measurable effect of God’s love and value
that these mothers will begin to feel, through our ministry. As well as our
focus on bonding and parental- child relationships, that we pray will begin to
instill a sense of self worth and unconditional love, that results in a
generation that does not look for love and affirmation in “high risk relationships”.
