While things appear to be returning to “normal” post-Covid, a community organisation is still reeling from the loss of dedicated volunteers due to the devastating pandemic.

Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centre in Somerset West is hugely dependent on the time and support offered by committed volunteers to continue rendering its services to the Helderberg. The pro-women organisation that has offered free crisis pregnancy and post-abortion counselling for nearly 26 years, is calling on Helderbergers to step forward and donate their efforts in aid of the worthy cause.

“At any given time we had 25 volunteers who were committed to Choices and regularly gave their time to support the service,” said centre manager Danielle Davelaar. “We remain extremely grateful for the amazing volunteers that are currently serving at Choices and those who have served in the past. Sadly, during lockdown, we had to let go of a large number of volunteers.

“This means that there is a need for volunteers, if they are willing to be trained as counsellors, or fill an admin or fundraising role.”

Where it all started

Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centre was founded in October 1996 in response to the 1996 Termination of Pregnancy Act to offer one-on-one counselling support to any woman facing a crisis pregnancy situation and assist her in moving forward by making the best personal decision, based on the information available and having considered all options open to her.

“The non-profit organisation was established by three young moms and members of Helderberg Christian Church (now Urban Voice), who came together with the shared dream and with support of the church and local community birthed Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centre,” Davelaar related. “They volunteered at the centre for many years, counselling, running a volunteer schools team and serving as administrators and managers. They have all moved on to other roles, but still support Choices as residents of the Helderberg.”

Champions of various roles and responsibilities

The Choices team comprises of Nicky Welsh, who has taken the lead as chairperson for a number of years and serves alongside her husband, Gary, who maintains the building and plot in Schapenberg Road. Anita Robinson was involved with Choices as a volunteer from the start, and since last year has returned to serve as a member of the management team and provides supervisory support to the counselling team. Davelaar has a background in social work and has been involved with Choices since 2017. Together with the organisation’s host, five counsellors are present four days a week to assist clients.

Invaluable service to the community

Having served the Helderberg for well over two decades, Choices has respectfully cemented its place in the community.

“Most of our clients hear about us by word of mouth. Choices is part of the basin and has been around for a long time,” said Davelaar. “We are known by women in the local communities, and through our schools programme aimed at teaching life-skills to learners. Through the programme young women are empowered to take control of their future by making good decisions and they learn about the work of the counselling centre, which also receives referrals from Helderberg Hospital, local clinics and general practitioners.”

Davelaar said facing an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming, and therefore, at Choice a safe environment is created for clients who are made to feel respected, accepted and heard.

“We aim to meet women in crisis where they are,” she added. “We provide them with a space in which they can consider their options and reach a decision, without coercion, that they can then live with.”

The services rendered by Choices are not only limited to expectant mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy, but also their families, partners and close friends. “When a woman is facing a crisis pregnancy there are different options available to her which may include: parenting, termination of pregnancy and adoption,” Davelaar pointed out. “Practically, we often hear that clients do not feel as though they have any choices. Sometimes they feel the only choice is to terminate the pregnancy, even though that is not what they would decide in different circumstances. We then explore the different options with them and look at their social networks and other support to see if we can empower them to make a choice that they are comfortable with.

“The decision is for the client to reach in their own time.”

If the woman chooses to parent, which they often do, Choices is able to provide support and provide a gift bag with some of the items required after the baby is born. Support of partners, family, local clinics and hospitals are encouraged throughout the pregnancy.

If the woman chooses to release the baby for adoption, Choices offers support by referral to a local adoption agency. If termination of pregnancy is the preferred option, the woman is referred to a local government hospital for the procedure. Choices also offers post-abortion counselling.

Asked what success the organisation boasts, Davelaar responded: “It is a joy to see a happy mother who is doing well even though a few months earlier she felt as though her life was falling part.”

The challenge on the other side of the spectrum is, according to Davelaar, that many people are misinformed about the methods and use of various contraceptives; peer, family or partner pressure on women’s right to choose their own course of action. “The main message to women in crisis pregnancy situations, is that you do not have to do this alone! Contact Choices. We have a team of trained counsellors who would be happy to support you and to listen to your story and give you a chance to hear yourself speak out what is going around and around in your head. We speak different languages and will find the right counsellor for you.”

V Anyone in need of any of the above services can contact Choices via WhatsApp on 081 879 5431 or visit the centre during office hours.

V Anyone wishing to volunteer their time or donate can phone 021 852 6454 or email info@choices.org.za.