Layettes for new babies

Pyjamas, bodysuits, booties, a bag and a shawl. All these can be found in the layettes the nurses in the premature unit at Malaga's Children's and Maternity Hospital put together to help babies born into families with limited resources. They started the project four years ago and during this time they have helped some 400 families.

All the nursing staff in the unit collaborate unselfishly with this 'Canastillas sin Fronteras' (layettes without borders) project, although doctors and other staff have also become involved in the initiative. "We collect second hand baby clothes, but we have also bought new items thanks to the collaboration of SUR who donated the proceeds from the sale of fans last Christmas to the project", explains Carmen Tere Fernández, one of the organisers.

However their help goes much further than clothes. "We don't just buy essential garments to clothe a baby; when we see that the parents are in need of a cot or a pram we find one for them", she continues. They have even created a system of micro-loans, and "when a family's situation has improved, they give back what they were lent so that we can help other parents in need", explains Josefa Cuevas.

The majority of the layettes they distribute go to immigrant families, although Mari Carmen Jiménez points out that with the crisis there are more Spanish families that lack the basic necessities for their babies.

It all started at Christmas 2006, when a baby was being taken to Melilla. "His mother had no money to buy him clothes and it was cold, so we decided to dress him in the suit from a Father Christmas doll ", states Jiménez.

For the nurses in the premature unit the best reward for the effort it takes to put these sets for newborns together is the look on the parents' faces. None of them expect it. "Families have even brought us pastries or cakes to show us their appreciation", adds Josefa Cuevas.

However the volunteers have not stopped there. Not long ago they had a visit from their colleagues in Granada who had heard of the project and wanted to set up a similar association in their hospital. "The more children we help, the better", they say. They are also starting a website for anyone wanting to collaborate.

In the end the layettes have created a great family. "We are still in touch we a lot of the children because their parents bring them in so we can see how they are", says Carmen Tere Fernández.