By Faith Abrahams | Communications Manager
Dearest TLC Tribe,
We hope you and your loved ones are all keeping safe and well. <3
Apologies if you are reciving this in duplication from your contributions to multiple of our projects. We accidentially sent this update to an expired project instead of our active general project "Support a Baby, Build a Family". It is important for us to send these updates out to make sure our valued supporters are all receiving up to date news and that we keep our GlobalGiving profile in good standing. Please comment or rate our projects to help us in this regard it is truly a great gift to us when you take the time to engage in this way. <3
Well, what a year it's been! One where we are continually and astoundingly blessed and provided for. Our cup runneth over with gratitude and love.
We had barely sent out our last report announcing our plans to move when the unexpected and severe effects of the international response to Covid-19 started to hit the world. It has been a crazy couple of months here at TLC while all "business as usual" ceased and we started making provisions to keep our little ones and our caregiver team as protected as possible from the risk of coronavirus infection.
This meant that many of our staff were sent home for the first few months of lockdown, while a number of our dedicated caregivers selflessly put their hands up and offered to weather the initial lockdown onsite at TLC, away from their own homes and families. Miraculously we have been blessed to be able to survive this extended lockdown and are slowly beginning to resume more of our regular operations as the lockdown eases. However, things are certainly far from "normal".
During this time placements all but ceased, and dispite being at full capacity we were desperately requested to take in more babies as our nation saw and increase of babies and children getting abandoned by desperate and destitute mothers. With much serious consideration we decided to answer the call and have taken in 4 newborns during this time. They came to us as tiny little wimpering bundles and we have been amazed at how quickly they have chubbed up into gurgling little cherubs. We have also found a silver-lining to the lockdown, in that our babies and children are absolutely settled and flourishing in this much more contained and predictable environment, where they have had the same set of loving caregivers for weeks on end. This is definitely a great opportunity for learning as we set in new operating procedures in our new home.
Speaking of which, of course, this has all had a major impact on our moving plans. Whilst undoubtedly necessary, the lockdown set us back quite a bit financially. Much of the funds we had reserved for the the move were diverted to weathering the severe lockdown restrictions here in South Africa, and ensuring that our little ones maintained their consistency of care by providing for the caregivers staying onsite during this time.
Nevertheless, we are confident and hopeful that the amount is quite manageable to fundraise for and are preparing to extend a call to action, mobilising and guiding our international family of supporters in helping us raise there funds through their own networks. The amount needed to help us start this phase of TLC's new journey debt-free will be R1.8 million (about $105000). We will be formally announcing our fundraiser for this at our up-coming virtual Mandela Day Event, so be sure to keep an eye on our social media pages for when we announce this.
As always we are so incredibly humbled by your consistent and courageous support.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback I'm always eager to hear from our valued supporters.
Blessings of health, security and peace to you and your loved ones during these uncertain and unsettling times.
With Heartfelt Thanks and
Kind Regards,
Faith
P.S. Please take the time to give your recommendation rating of TLC's project below. This is such a grate way to help us get more visibility on GlobalGiving. <3 Thank You!
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