When Helena Le Grange developed health complications during her pregnancy a few years ago she decided to educate other women. She explains that she aimed to write a book, but she decided that going into the community and speaking to women was more effective. “I started going to the local clinic and talked to women there. I found that a lot of them are suffering from either gestational hypertension or diabetes, and they didn’t know the warning signs.”
A group of Kensington women is on a mission to empower pregnant women and mothers in the area by raising awareness on maternal health.
When Helena Le Grange developed health complications during her pregnancy a few years ago she decided to educate other women.
Le Grange explains that she aimed to write a book, but she decided that going into the community and speaking to women was more effective. “I started going to the local clinic and talked to women there. I found that a lot of them are suffering from either gestational hypertension or diabetes, and they didn’t know the warning signs.”
Le Grange says that is how her organisation Mothers of Nations SA (MonSA) was born.
The organisation now consists of a group of women that aims to make a difference in their community.
Avril Chetty, public liaison officer for MonSA, said they wanted to promote health awareness about premature birth from preventable causes. “We have started an awareness drive to encourage females to register their pregnancies early and to attend all their scheduled clinic appointments. We go around talking to clinics, homes within our community, as well as in shopping malls.”
According to Chetty, they are hoping to set up a children’s activity corner at the Factreton clinic. “It has come to our attention that our local health facilities are overcrowded and noisy as little ones get bored and fidgety while waiting for hours to be helped. This leads to frustration between moms and nursing staff. We are hoping to set up a play area for the children within the day hospital.
“It will be an activity area where children can read and learn. We will have toys there for each age group and writing material to keep the children occupied.”
She explains that they hope to expand this to other communities in the future but adds they require funds to realise this.
“We need toys and books for the children. If the children want the toy or the book home because they do not have any, we will allow that. We have received some donations but we need more, especially if we branch out to other areas.”
Chetty explains that they want to plough back into their area.
Le Grange explains that they also run economic business workshops in collaboration with Cape Town Central Library
“We found that there was a disconnect between the theory of business and the practicalities. Because even though we do maternal wellness, poverty and economic and social relief are all connected. Some of the moms in the group are also entrepreneurs, and their businesses weren’t doing so well, and we thought this programme would be beneficial to them.”
Chetty encouraged other organisations and businesses to partner with them.
“If there are people in the community who have any skills that they can offer our women and mothers, then we can organise workshops. It is all about skills development and empowering people. And we can achieve that if we work together.”
Avril Arrison, a board member at MonSA, says as an entrepreneur she decided to join the organisation because she wanted to uplift other women.
For more information, contact Chetty on 072 240 8476.
