First Outreach in South Africa
In October of 2024, a rewarding experience emerged. Haven Place Doulas (HPD) traveled abroad to Johannesburg, South Africa (SA) with the intent of distributing mini pregnancy bags to underprivileged families in the community and surrounding areas yet returned back to the USA with a renewed determination to do much more. Preparation for the journey took about three weeks to organize. HPD and several volunteers collected baby diapers, baby wipes, baby soap and lotion, socks for babies and mothers, breast pads, sanitary napkins, suitcases, etc. to pack, transport, and distribute in SA. Fourteen suitcases were brought into South Africa enabling us to make and giveaway 296 pregnancy bags. This concerted effort was birthed out of a commitment to help address the immediate needs of disadvantaged, prenatal and postpartum families in SA.
Cold calls had not gone out of style for Haven Place Doulas. Prior to making this trip, HPD attempted to contact local doula agencies in and around Johannesburg, South Africa to build a bridge between the two countries in the area of supporting birth work. Only one company called back, Blissful Births. The owner Maggie was jovial, pleasant, and motivated to work together. She created a dynamic company concept in which her mother works alongside her as a dear midwife and Maggie as the darling doula - a genuine one-stop shop. Together, they employ such wonderful staff that add to the family’s tapestry thus creating a warm, loving, family environment. They all love the work they do and it shows. There were numerous areas where our companies had synergy, but the most important one was in helping those who cannot help themselves. Maggie was beneficial in providing historical information about South Africa’s birth work community, data about the under-served families, and an active list of some of the desired pregnancy supplies. HPD responded in kind by enlisting the help of various volunteers in the USA to help achieve the goal of making an impact. Through several conference calls and Zoom meetings, a partnership between Blissful Births and Haven Place Doulas was formed.
Upon arrival in SA, HPD transformed their apartment suite into a mini distribution center to organize the items. The HPD team met with Maggie for the first time in the first week of their visit to spend some quality time and make some pregnancy bags together. Maggie was given two suitcases full of pregnancy bags for her agency to serve their disenfranchised clients. Later on that same week, Maggie and her team took us to a local state hospital to start the process of dispersing the pregnancy bags. It was quite a humbling experience. Maggie also gave us a tour of her two birthing centers and prenatal and postpartum clinic. Each location was a home away from home for any expectant family regardless of socioeconomic status.
Over the course of three weeks, HPD and several volunteers walked the streets of Johannesburg and visited neighboring state hospitals to meet those wonderful families to give away the pregnancy bags. We also handed out all fourteen suitcases to those families who needed them the most based on the amount of personal items they brought to the hospital in addition to the arrival of their newborn. Unbeknownst to us, the request for suitcases would be just as numerous as the pregnancy bags themselves. Many of the families were quite appreciative while others were grateful but requested other items as well. Since our distribution process was based on a first-come, first-served basis, the word got out at the hospital that we were there and we eventually ran out of our supplies fast. Unfortunately, there were many families that were left empty-handed. Although our attempts at reaching as many families as we could in a three-week period were significant, it paled in comparison to the amount of need that surfaced.
We had countless conversations with the locals, families, medical staff, etc. about the root causes of the struggles and resources needed to improve the quality of life. Many reported job insecurity, food insecurity, housing insecurity, systemic inequality, lack of education, limited access to opportunities, transportation challenges, etc. As we heard this information, it gave us much food-for-thought about how we would approach future outreach efforts. While distributing pregnancy bags to local community residents in the surrounding area of Johannesburg, the HPD team and volunteers met the owner of a nearby orphanage. She was very kind. She invited us to come visit the orphanage before we headed back to the USA. We made a brief stop at the orphanage the following week where we met up with the owner and her staff. This orphanage was a multi-faceted, day program that provides orphans with two meals a day before and after school, assists with homework, and makes house calls to support resident senior citizens with basic medical needs during the day while the children are at school.
As we toured the facility, we realized that another opportunity had presented itself. The orphanage feeds approximately 260 children ages five to seventeen daily on a limited budget. It consists of three trailers that sit separately on a small piece of land in the heart of the community. There was no play area, cafeteria, nor classroom for the children. There was a small tent which had some chairs under it for the children to eat their meals, do their homework, and take cover during inclement weather. At the time of our visit, there was one child playing with a tattered soccer ball in the dirt area that was designated for play. Although we were not equipped with supplies for children, we went to a local Toys R Us and bought 10 soccer balls, 10 jump rope, 10 frisbees, 10 bubbles, a battery-operated bubble making machine, 6 packs of batteries, 4 large 400-page coloring books, and 10 packs of crayons. We presented the items to the owner and explained how they could do a rotation with the children, so they could all get a turn. The owner and her staff were very happy and invited us to come visit again at any time.
In closing, our inaugural outreach to South Africa was quite fulfilling. It reminded us to be grateful for what we have, but to be empowered for what we can do for others. A little bit can go a long way. Our efforts are just beginning. We plan to reach more families in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2025 and beyond. We will continue to support those initial communities that we started in by expanding our capacity and reach. Although the need is great, we will put our hands to the plow to do as much as we can and encourage others to join us in the process.
USA Prep for SA
Mini Distribution Center in SA
State Hospital Visit
State Clinic Visit
Orphanage Visit
Meeting Maggie and her team
Blissful Births Clinics Tour
Distributing Pregnancy Bags to Families in Johannesburg