Comfort Pack Project

Project targeted at:

  • Survivors of GBV
  • Survivors of human trafficking
  • Women and children arriving at shelters
  • Children preparing for court days

Objectives of the project:

  • To provide survivors with essential toiletry items to assist during the initial reporting process at the hospital, crisis centre or police stations. Once a statement is taken and the medical examination is completed, the survivor will be given the opportunity to clean up. Everything needed for this process will be in the pack. Clothing that may contain DNA will be kept as evidence, so clean underwear is an essential item that can be found in the packs. Where possible, additional clothing will be provided to the crisis centres. In most cases when women arrive at the shelters, they do so without any personal belongings – at times these women have their children with them, so special bags for the women and children are also prepared.
  • Court Preparation Packs are provided to children who undergo court preparations. The aim of these packs is to provide the child with extra snacks and activity toys as they may need to wait for very long periods in the courts during the process.

Number of packs distributed over the last few years:

This table lists the number of packs distributed over the last few years. Sadly, due to Covid-19 and limited donations the number of packs available for distribution in 2020 was very low. Towards the end of 2020 we did receive some good financial donations which assisted us with the demand for 2021. The need however remains great. We are therefore in urgent need of funding and of donations of content items for our packs.

Our needs for these packs:

*Due to hygienic reasons no used items can be used for our packs. We do however accept used clothing in good condition.

FOR WOMEN AND MEN:
A drawstring bag to put the following items in:

  • Body lotion
  • Bottled water
  • Comb/brush
  • Face cloth and soap
  • Face mask and hand sanitizer
  • Hairclips and Hairbands
  • Lip balm or Vaseline
  • Note – words of comfort
  • Sanitary towels (individually sealed)
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Small notebook and a pen
  • Sweet
  • Tissues
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Underwear – (all sizes – no G-strings and no writing)

FOR CHILDREN:
A drawstring bag to put the following items in:
  • Brown paper bag
  • Bottled water or cooldrink
  • Coloring in book and crayons/color pencils
  • Facecloth and soap
  • Face mask and hand sanitizer
  • Hairbrush
  • Lip balm or Vaseline
  • Plasters and surgical gloves
  • Sanitary towels (individually wrapped)
  • Small notebook and a pen
  • Soft toy
  • Sweets and snacks (chips)
  • Tissues and wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Underwear – all sizes

WE ALSO PROVIDE SHELTER PACKS FOR:
  • WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARRIVING AT THE SHELTER
  • SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICING WHO HAVE BEEN RESCUED
The content items for these packs are the same as listed above with the exception that we provide enough product to last them at least 1 month. For these packs we are asking for handbags for the ladies, backpacks for men, and children’s backpacks for the children’s packs

CHILDRENS PACKS - FOR THE COURT DAY:
A backpack to put the following items in:
  • Activity toy i.e., small set of Lego’s small puzzles etc.
  • Bottled water or cooldrink
  • Coloring in book and crayons/coloring pens
  • Face mask and hand sanitizer
  • Lip balm or Vaseline
  • Notebook and pen
  • Soft toy
  • Snacks (sweets, biscuits, chips)
  • Tissues and wet wipes