COMFORT PACKS

The retiring offering for the month of June 2006 has gone towards the work of the Friends of the Child Protection Unit, i.e. the financing of the so called “comfort packs” (see picture below). Helen Hutchison has recently spoken about her involvement at the Unit and the tremendous need for such “comfort packs”. For more information or if you would like to volunteer please contact Helen Hutchison on 021 689 2364 or 082 740 7329.  Below find a short summary by Helen on the work of the Friends of the Child Protection Unit:

All the work for the Friends of the Child Protection Units are done by 6 Volunteer Women in Cape Town. We founded our Charity in 2002 to support Child Protection Units. We are registered as an NPO, No:030-745.

Our Purpose: To care for child victims of sexual abuse and the units that serve them through constant prayer and provision

Outreach: Sexually Abused Children

               Child Protection Units(CPU) which are a section of FCS Units

               SAPS Victim Support Rooms(VSRs)

               Other Organisation which aid sexually abused children 

               Care and Counselling (as funds are available)

Our most important task is the packing of Comfort Packs for the children. These are given to the children at the scene of the crime or at the Police Stations VSRs. The children often spend hours at hospitals waiting for transport or Doctors to examine them.

The Comfort Packs are designed to help children at the time when they are badly traumatised. They contain items to soothe and comfort the the child and are packed according to age and gender. All Comfort Packs include painties to replace what they are wearing as these are taken away for forensic testing, toiletries, refreshments and a soft toy to hold for comfort.

Psychologists recommend bubbles to blow and plastercine to play with for the little ones (ages 3 - 8) to help soothe them. The older ones receive pencils and note books and are encouraged to express their feelings by writing or drawing. Comfort Packs for babies include formula, nappies, bottles, clothing and a soft toy.

FUNDING   FCP relies entirely on donations. The largest percentage of money comes from the UK. We also receive donations from Churches, Schools and others.  We solicit the big Corporations for donations for our Comfort Packs. As an NPO, our books are audited annually. As we are all Volunteers, running costs are kept to a minimum.

GOAL     To pack as many Comfort Packs as are needed

                 To support as many FCS Units and VSRs as we are able

                 To contact Churches, Service Clubs and other organisations and individuals           who will  support and care for their local Units/VSRs and pack Comfort Packs                              for them.  To solicit donations in cash and kind to enable us to serve in this         way

We pack once a month at the Gardens Presbyterian Church and would be delighted to have some Volunteers to help us! As I live in Rondebosch I could easily give anyone a lift and Refreshments are served!!!!!!!

Helen Hutchison