Tag Archives: Breath of Life

5 Years (and counting) at Breath of Life

“Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend.” — Diogenes

On January 20^th 2018 I entered the Breath of Life house to drop of diapers and I sort of forgot to leave – 5 years and 126 babies later (for me) a lot has changed but my love for and commitment to the babies in that nursery is stronger than ever.

Thank you to Michelle Rielly who first welcomed me into the Breath of Life nursery, thank you to Abigail Boshoff who continues to make me feel welcome in the Breath of Life nursery and thank you to our team of baby caregivers, staff and volunteers who love and look after our babies

The hardworking baby caregivers and babies enjoying the summer day in the courtyard at Breath of Life

Introducing Abigail Boshoff

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“There is nothing permanent except change.” -Heraclitus

New chapter at Breath of Life – as of January 1^st 2023 Abigail Boshoff officially took over from Michelle Rielly as Housemom but Michelle will remain coordinator at Breath of Life working remotely from the Western Cape

Dear Michelle although you are not physically in the nursery anymore know that every time i return to hold the babies i will be holding them for both of us – your love is etched in my soul and flows through my veins. Also i plan to put you to work from where you are.

Dear Abigail i promise to always show up, you will never be alone in this journey, this I promise you. You, me and Michelle are now a triangle, each side supporting the other. We won’t let you fall ever. I look forward to getting to know you

Michelle, Abigail and I at Michelle’s farewell party in December 2022

#Nisha31 – Fundraising for Breath of Life in Honour of my 31st

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“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

On February 8^th2022 I again started actively fundraising again for Breath of Life – a place of safety here in East London, South Africa, that homes abandoned and vulnerable babies – but this time I’m aiming to raise R31 000 in honour of my upcoming 31^st birthday (happening on March 25^th) and 31^st year of life. If you wish to donate you can do so at www.backabuddy.co.za/nisha-31

Forever Christmas – an ongoing crowdfunder for Breath of Life #ForeverChristmas

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“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” – Dr. Seuss

With the Christmas season of 2021 less than two months away, I want to make this Christmas last forever by asking 46 people to make a reoccurring monthly donation of R1000 (USD67) or by asking 92 people to make a reoccurring monthly donation of R500 (USD33) to Breath of Life. This will ensure that we have enough funding to cover the basic expenses incurred by Breath of Life in their activities caring for these precious babies. You can help make it Christmas every month by making sure Breath of Life has a dependable funding source to continue the vital work they do. R1000 (USD67 ) per month or R500 (USD33) per month – whichever option you choose, we ask that you give with love in your heart. For more information or to start making a monthly donation please visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/forever-christmas . Note: When you donate the first time, you will be asked, “Will this be a recurring payment?” Select the option “ongoing” (in order for it to be a monthly contribution).

#Nisha30 – Fundraising for Breath of Life in Honour of my 30th

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“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”- Edward Everett Hale

On February 25^th2021 I started actively fundraising again for Breath of Life – a place of safety here in East London, South Africa, that homes abandoned and vulnerable babies – but this time I’m aiming to raise R30 000 in honour of my upcoming 30^th birthday and 30^th year of life. If you wish to donate you can do so at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/nisha-30 (R2024 raised so far – thank you to all who’ve donated so far – only R27 976 more to raise)

R51 009 Raised for Breath of Life. THANK YOU ALL. #ForGerda

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“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” —Andrew Carnegie

As of today we surpassed the R51 000 goal for my campaign benefitting Breath of Life(a place of safety for babies here in East London, South Africa) in memory of Gerda Bence. . Goal is R51 000 and raised so far R32 759. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH to Terence Naidoo (Founder of Truzo Pty Ltd), David Boutin, Beverly Bernhardt, Meg, Suntosh Pillay, Penny Tarr, Bianca, Melissa, Maqsuda, Mr. Khan, Betty Roy, BG, Nihara Paul, Michelle Parks, VK, Caelyn Barter, Jessy Jones, Alex, Carolyn Steyn, Inayet Ismail, Susannah, Elizabeth, Nokuthula, B Royce, Vishaal, Caryn Gootkin, Taz everybody who donate anonymously and everybody who spread the word on social media – truly appreciate all your support.

The page will remain open forever as my forever tribute to Gerda and to ensure the public will always have an easy way to donate to Breath of Life https://www.backabuddy.co.za/in-loving-memory-of-gerda

Breath of Life Campaign Two Months Later

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“A baby is as pure as an angel and as fresh as a blooming flower.” – Debasish Mridha

Today marks the two month anniversary of my campaign benefitting Breath of Life(a place of safety for babies here in East London, South Africa) in memory of Gerda Bence. . Goal is R51 000 and raised so far R32 759. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH to Terence Naidoo (Founder of Truzo Pty Ltd), David Boutin, Beverly Bernhardt, Meg, Suntosh Pillay, Penny Tarr, Bianca, Melissa, Maqsuda, Mr. Khan, Betty Roy, BG, Nihara Paul, Michelle Parks, VK, Caelyn Barter, Jessy Jones, Alex, Carolyn Steyn, Inayet Ismail, Susannah, Elizabeth, Nokuthula, everybody who donate anonymously and everybody who spread the word on social media – truly appreciate all your support.

If anybody wishes to make a donation they can do so https://backabuddy.co.za/in-loving-memory-of-gerda

Fundraising for Breath of Life in loving memory of Gerda Bence

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“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”― Nelson Mandela

On August 19, 2019, my physiotherapist of 16 years, Gerda Bence, tragically died in a car accident at the age of 51 and so to celebrate 51 years of her beautiful life and to mark the first anniversary of her death I’m aiming to raise R51 000 for the Restore Trust’s Breath of Life house.

What is Breath of Life and what makes it unique?
Breath of Life, an initiative of the Restore Trust, is a place of safety for vulnerable babies in East London, South Africa. The place of safety has the capacity to take care of up to 6 babies simultaneously.

What’s unique about Breath of Life is that the babies live with House Mom, Michelle, House Dad, Andrew and House Siblings, Jazmyn, Lily-Anne and Alex-Rose (along with carers who are there to help the family take care of the babies) ensuring the babies have stability and love until they are adopted or reunited with suitable blood relatives.

Why am I raising money for Breath of Life?
I am raising money for Breath of Life because I believe every baby deserves to start life on a level playing field and Breath of Life provides that by ensuring every baby is loved and cared for until the Department of Social Development can find them a permanent home.

Make a donation to my campaign and in so doing help Breath of Life continue to positively impact the lives of women in crisis and babies still waiting for their forever families. https://www.backabuddy.co.za/in-loving-memory-of-gerda

Breath of Life -Impacting the Lives of the Unborn in East London, South Africa

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The Breath of Life initiative was setup in 2009, in response to the lack of support for women dealing with crisis pregnancies, and the high rate of abandonment of newborn babies. Mothers that were unable to bring up children had to choose between termination or abandonment. The situation demanded a response, and led by a passionate team the Restore Trust launched a two-pronged initiative to meet this need.

Babies having a supervised afternoon nap in the Breath of Life garden

Place of Safety

Babies are abandoned in dumpsters, dustbins and drains in East London, South Africa. A safe place to care for abandoned babies was a priority. The Place of Safety is at 2 Dawson Road, Selborne and currently has capacity for 6 babies. These children are either delivered by the SAPS or by members of the public. It is truly a sad state of affairs, a daily reminder of the horrific societal problems at play in our community. The house is staffed by a team of carers and house parents. The babies are given 24/7 care before being placed into forever-families.

For more information about Breath of Life visit http://www.restoretrust.co.za/projects/breath-of-life/ or https://www.facebook.com/breathoflifeSA/

The above was shared as part of my new weekly Difference Makers series featuring businesses, organizations or individuals making a difference in their communities.

The True Meaning of Living Fully I Have Found at Breath of Life

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You realize that there’s something to be said to limiting oneself, not just geographically, but also emotionally. That there’s a certain depth of experience and meaning that can only be achieved when one picks a single piece of creation and says, “This is it. This is where I belong.” – Mark Manson

Years ago I thought living fully meant travelling the world, making new friends and tasting new foods but yesterday as I sat chatting and giggling with babies at Breath of Life I had a feeling there, with them, I was living fully (if I get to travel and do other stuff that would be awesome but I won’t do it in search of the fullness of life because every time I’m with the babies and wonderful people at Breath of Life I’m reminded that I’m already living fully). Thank you to Michelle, Andrew and the Breath of Life team for all you do and for a 2019 full of beautiful moments I look forward to making more beautiful memories with all of you next year.