Welcome, baby!

On a beautiful Monday afternoon a group of well-wishers gathered to celebrate the anticipated arrival (in November) of Bukhari and Belqiissa’s baby girl. Tables were groaning with both gifts and food.

The couple, originally from Somalia, have had a lot of changes this month: they were moved from a very small studio by a group of dedicated and hardworking volunteers to a lovely two bedroom apartment in supportive housing. Thanks to furniture donations from people in the parish the apartment is furnished, the baby has both bassinet and crib and now they have everything needed for the coming baby.

St. Clement’s and St. Agnes joined forces in this with St. Agnes providing a stroller and car seat, several boxes of disposable diapers, a box of wipes, and an array of other small baby gifts. We had a beautiful gift basket with hand sewn lining, a little hand made quilt for baby and filled with various gifts of clothing and toys.

In addition there were books, toys, baby items, special treats for Belqiissa, a little hand-knitted stripy tiger which Bukhari took immense delight in exploring.  Bukhari, who is blind,  loves to touch and explore and was having a lot of fun figuring out the small baby onesies, especially the red velvet one Honada gifted them with! This will be a very well-dressed baby for sure.

Many thanks for all the very generous contributions towards this events: in addition to all the baby items, we were able to purchase a grocery gift card for $350 from the No Frills Supermarket where they shop; St. Agnes was able to do the same so the couple is well established to a very successful start as a new little family.

Deep thanks also to the people working in the background driving Belqiissa to her prenatal appointments, seeking connections with Young Mother groups in their immediate neighbourhood and working hard to make sure the baby has the best start possible. We are all truly the hands and feet of Christ in showing love, support and caring for this young couple.