Stonehage Fleming partner with Western Cape Department of Education to support teenage pregnancy programme
Latest research from the Department of Education shows that teenage pregnancy in South Africa is on the rise. In 2020 alone, 136,386 babies were born to girls between the ages of 10 and 19 in public health facilities, including almost 3,774 to mothers 14 and under. These figures represented an overall increase of almost 7,000 year on year.[1]
In South Africa, teenage pregnancy can have a profound impact on the future of many young women and their offspring. Without sufficient financial and emotional support, many teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of high school and get lost in the system. They are also less likely to pursue a career, which can increase the financial burden on the family of the pregnant teenager and exacerbate the cycle of poverty.
One woman on a mission to break the cycle of teenage pregnancy in South Africa is Ezette Fourie, a qualified occupational therapist working for the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED).
With over two decades of industry experience, Ezette first joined the WCDE in 2010 as a therapy coordinator in rural districts on the West Coast. It did not take long for her to notice the startling numbers of teenage pregnancies, which prompted her and her colleagues to start up several support groups for expectant mothers at schools.
Their objective was two-fold: first, to show young mothers-to-be that help was readily available and that they did not have to struggle alone, and secondly to give them the best chance to stay in school and obtain their matric exemption, in order to open up their future career opportunities and help them provide a better life for their children.
Due to the negative stigma associated with teenage pregnancy, Ezette says it took a long period of advocacy before the first students started to show up to the support groups, but she is pleased to confirm that around 300 young mothers and mothers-to-be now attend.
Over the years, the number of therapist support has also grown, with seven therapists currently working in the West Coast rural district.
Part of the support and therapy offered by the team includes guidance on how to juggle the personal needs of the mothers with the needs of their babies. It also involves celebrating the lives of the new babies.
“Typically, there is an overwhelming negative sentiment about teenage pregnancy, which includes disappointment or anger from parents, teachers and friends about the life-changing mistake that these young girls have made. However, it is vital that the mothers can celebrate the new life and feel positive about the future that lies ahead.”
As part of this celebration, Ezette teamed up with Stonehage Fleming, who donated ‘baby bags’ and ‘mommy bags’ for the teenage mothers to take to hospital with them. Ezette explains that while the family tends to help to buy nappies and clothes for the newborns, there are no niceties given to mothers while in state hospital. This prompted the decision to put together a bag for the mothers that included basic hygiene items for use in hospital, including soaps, lotions and blankets, as well as a few extra spoils for the mothers to enjoy.
Two client events were hosted by Stonehage Fleming where women were invited to come and pack the goody bags. In total, 65 baby bags and 65 mommy bags were prepared and donated, and the project will continue as the programme grows.
The response from the teenage mothers was heartwarming, with many writing letters to express their gratitude for the support.
For more information on how you can contribute to the teenage pregnancy programme, please contact [INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS].
“Thank you for the ‘goodie bag’ I am very grateful for the support, just when I thought no one has my back, the gift gave me the reassurance that there are people who support me. It means a lot to me.” - Grade 12 student
[1] https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-09-07-schoolgirl-births-unacceptably-high-in-south-africa/