Help for Baby Nicolette

Tracy Moyo would have been 25 years old last Thursday, January 5.

She would have celebrated her first birthday as a mother with her smiley, adoring, cutie-pie of a baby daughter and with her folks and brothers and sisters.

But instead, where there should be happiness there is sorrow, and where there should be singing there is grieving, where there should be hugs and kisses there is only memories.

In trying to make sense of this upside down, inside out situation, one can only look towards the future, moving forward, holding close the lost loved one and using this strength to move onwards and take care of those left behind.

Nicolette will be 4 months on Jan 15, and our tears will be replaced by happy smiles, as we celebrate the life that Tracy brought into the world, and see her face in "Nicky"s".

The baby shop was happy to see me again, as I stocked up on supplies for the next months.

I received a message from Lista via Robert with thanks again from all her heart and a report that Nicolette is doing well and is a happy baby.

I leave Zimbabwe today and each month Robert will receive cash in order to buy supplies for the month.

Supplies once again sent home by Zimbus.

The simple piece of paper above comes with a complex tale.

As a birth certificate was not yet issued for Nicolette, Robert, Nicolette's father and I went on a mission to get this done.

And only after standing in line in 5 different offices, both in Kezi and Bulawayo, each time being told that other documentation was required, (the cherry on the top being told that all was in order but that copies had to be made, and finding out the the copier was in someone's house who had gone to market), we breathed a deep sigh of relief when this little slip of paper was in our hands! The certificate will be ready for collection on Jan 9.

I cannot imagine how the man in the street manages, I had a car and could go back and forth with ease.

Africa certainly dances to its own rhythm, and now Nicolette has secured her place in the show.

When I asked Robert what else is needed for Nicolettes care, he asked for a flask, into which the boiled water could be placed, in order to cool down enough to put into the feeding bottles. This was purchased along with baby bottles to supplement the 3 bottles they are currently using, as well as a bottle to store cooled boiled water.

These purchases as well as monthly supplies Robert bought to send to his family were packed in a sack and transported on the roof of a bus and sent to his home in Kezi. Robert sent a message to his son to go and meet the bus and collect the parcel.

These heartfelt words of appreciation are for all those who have made a contribution to Nicolettes welfare.

Here are some thanks from Robert and his 2 daughters.

The sound is not the best so see the text transcribed below:

Robert: When you go there (back home) I say thank you very much what your friends have done to me, he's help me and my Nicolette is better now, she is alive and she is not crying and she is coming nicely and thank you very much.
Me: And who is looking after Nicolette?
Robert: My wife.
Me: And how is your wife feeling?
Robert: She is sad.
Me: She is sad.
And Tracy's sisters, they are helping?
Robert: Yes they are helping Yes. They are looking the baby, they are giving the baby milk, and Nicolette is coming nicely. I think Jesus is looking at her.
Me: Well she comes from a special family cause you are a special man and I wish you all the best.

Sent via whatsup from Andile, Roberts youngest daughter.

Andile: Hy mam its Andile i was asked by my dad to send u tracy 's child photoes
Me: This is Simone here. I am very sorry about Tracy and my heart is very sore. I can see that Nicolette has much love from you and she will be well. Thank you so much for the pictures. I send you my sympathies and love and strength.
Andile: Thank u very much for the comforting words n we pray n believe that God will help us in raising up our grand daughter and we also thank u foe everything u have done for us may the almighty bless u sooo much by Nicky 's grandmom and family

Sent via whatsup from Skanisiwa, Roberts eldest daughter

Hie thank you very much friends for helping Nickie ,may God bless you we feel like you are part of our family because of this great care you gave to us,Thank you very much

These pics are taken in Nicolette's, affectionately now known as called Nicky, grandparents home near Kezi in the rural areas. Granny Lista is the main carer and Tracy's youngest sister, Andile is with her currently helping out. Andile will return to town when the school year starts.

Below bathtime and getting ready to boil water.

Tucked into Aunty Andile's hands, Nicky eyes her formula being prepared by Granny Lista in the kitchen.

Still shocked and grieving, those around Nicolette have made her now their first priority.
She is being cared for by her grandmother in the rural areas.
Robert went back for a few days and just before boarding a bus, the first purchase using the donated money was made. 8 tins of formula and a kettle.
The water for the formula is boiled over an open fire and up until now a cooking pot was used. This kettle will make things a whole lot easier.

In addition to the financial donations, baby clothes and nappies were also donated. It is currently summer time, and come winter Nicolette has some warm clothes waiting for her.