Fatima House

Welcome once again, it’s a pleasure to be sharing our newsletter with you this 2011.

ADMISSIONS:

We welcomed one new girl from Centurion, who joined us on the 14th of March. She was transferred from another children’s home upon the discovery that she was pregnant. She is in grade 9, and was immediately registered for the second term at Hospital School.

MARCH WAS A MONTH OF BABY GIRLS!

A total of 3 births were recorded during the reporting period. All were baby girls and born at Kalafong Hospital. The first one born on the 2nd of March was born through a caesarean section. Mother and baby are doing very well, and are currently staying with a friend who is willing to take of them till the mother gets on her feet. The second baby girl born on the 18th of March was a normal birth. They went back home where there is a sister and her baby. The two were both admitted in Fatima House on the same day, and it was the older sister who gave birth first in January.

The initial plan for the latter was for her to be placed into a place of safety while the baby is put into foster care because she is still a child herself. The third baby girl was born on the 23rd of March just after writing her matric test as it was a daily prayer that the baby would arrive when the school closes so that she could have a quality time with her baby.

Fortunately for her, an aunt is willing to foster the baby. Those who could go home for school holidays were granted the opportunity. We had two girls during the holidays.

ACTIVITIES:

Holiday time is an opportunity for all of our girls to learn self help skills especially for scholars. We do card making, knitting, sewing, cross stitching, crotching, basic computer training skills and cooking only implemented on Saturdays. We engage them in all of these activities with a positive hope that when they go back home mastering any one of the skills, they can be able to make a living, become independent and most importantly take care of their babies, (most want to keep their babies).

They also get an opportunity to visit places of interest such as Hartsbeeport dam, the Union Buildings. Most girls especially those from outside Pretoria have never been to these places and it’s a life time exciting opportunity for them.

TESTS, CLOSING TIME AND HOLIDAYS:

4 girls were in school in grades 7, 9 and 12 respectively. They all wrote their end of term tests before they finally closed on the 25th of March. For the grade 7 learner the baby came a little too early for she was still in the process of writing her tests, while for the grade 12 learner however it was really a blessing giving birth the following day after finishing her tests. Our girls and their families are really encouraged to visit each other. Those with a family are able, can go home for the holidays or their families can visit them at Fatima House. This will make them feel cared for and as still part of their families. In a way they would not feel isolated and or abandoned.

THANKS:

Our gratitude goes to all Good Shepherd people, friends, benefactors and our donors who generously make life easier as we continue the struggle with Social Development to pay for the girls placed here through the courts. The Department has not paid Fatima House for the past two years and it has been difficult to assist our girls who choose life for their babies.


Sr. Bridget Lawlor is the re elected Congregational leader of the Good Shepherd Sisters. She visited Fatima House in November 2010. The girls were eager to know how she manages around the globe. Our girls are always welcoming. They were so amazed to meet our mother general in this occasion.

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