New haven for moms

LOTS of love, some generous donations and the spirit of ubuntu will go a long way towards making the lives of mothers with ill children a little easier.

At the weekend Bay charity Love Story, with the help of a number of radiographers, transformed an abandoned ward at the Dora Nginza hospital into a haven for mothers who want to sleep at the hospital to be near their sick kids.

Love Story's Elaine Watson was shocked when she found that mothers were sleeping on foam mattresses on the floor of a dilapidated ward where paint was peeling off the walls, the plumbing leaked and the windows were dark with dirt.

Watson came across the ward when visiting the hospital a few months ago and was horrified to discover that up to 30 moms at a time were sleeping in the sparsely furnished room in the paediatric ward – some for weeks while waiting for their children to be discharged.

"While the mothers are weighed down by their babies' illness or weakness, they also have to deal with the discomfort of sleeping on sponge mattresses on the floor," she said.

"Imagine after a long day of tests, medication and caring for a baby, how nice it would be for these women to get into a comfortable, warm bed and sleep well."

Love Story spread the word and had soon garnered some much-needed help.

Veruschka Frantz, of the Society of Radiographers of South Africa, said the group had joined Love Story in its campaign to transform the ward in celebration of World Radiographers Day, which was on Saturday.

The radiographersraised R20000 and helped in the revamp of the room.

Frantz said the group had also bought some toys and toiletries for the little patients and their moms.

Anny Britz, from Images Hair Salon, contributed R10000 after she hosted a "Locks for Love" day at her salon. The proceeds from "wash, cut and blows" were donated to the project.  The salon saw more than 100 clients that day.

Paragmed, a leading vascular device distributor, also donated R10000 towards the mothers' room while another medical device company, Vascumed, donated a fridge, kettle and table.

Bunk beds and mattresses were supplied at a discount rate by Factory Beds Direct. Paint was donated by Ingrid Ahfeldt from a charity called Hands on Movement.

Social worker Pamela Ru- bushe said everybody was very grateful for the new mothers' room. - Estelle Ellis