The Fish Hoek Lions Club donated baby-care supplies to needy moms on Women’s Day.
The five boxes of supplies were given to mothers who are part of Living Hope’s First 1000 Days programme.
The Rotary Club Cape of Good Hope supplied the boxes and the Lions Club filled them with essentials for “mother and baby”, according to Fish Hoek Lions Club president Brent Proctor.
Apart from holding the supplies, the boxes can also be used as makeshift cots.
The first 1000 days, from pregnancy to the age of 2, were a crucial window of opportunity to create brighter and healthier futures for children, said Living Hope executive director Victor Thomas.
It was also a time of vulnerability, and the way in which mothers and babies were nourished during that time had a profound impact on the child’s ability to grow, learn, and thrive.
“Poor nutrition in the first 1000 days can cause irreversible damage to a child’s growing brain,” he said.
Mr Proctor thanked everyone who supported the project.
“Every baby box handed over is a testament to the power of community and the potential we have to impact lives positively,” he said.
Mr Thomas said: “These boxes help to contribute to the newborns who get a place to sleep and essential goodies.”
Visit thousanddays.org for more information on the First 1000 Days programme and email admin@fishhoeklions.co.za to learn more about the Fish Hoek Lions Club.