After 40 years in the Non-Profit arena with SOS Children’s Villages South Africa, Rae Bagus has decided to focus her attention on another marginalised segment of our society – pregnant women with no support. In 2013, Rae founded Lil Choices, a Non Profit Organisation (NPO) based in Florida North which aims to give support to pregnant women who have been shunned or abandoned.
Working under the slogan ‘We will fight to eradicate abortions and abandonment’, Rae aims to help these women carry their babies to term. Through counselling, Lil Choices helps women get back on their feet or decide whether to give their children up for adoption. Lil Choices is a non-political, multi-ethnic, non-religious organisation catering for women of all ages, although parental permission is required should they be under 18.
Rae highlighted the NPO’s achievements, saying, ”We have helped 107 women aged 18 to 40 and above since 2013. These women come to us with no clothes, no money and nowhere else to go. We clothe them, feed them and give them shelter. Sometimes they don’t even have IDs and we help arrange that so that their babies can be properly registered and cared for. Our name reflects who we are for – the babies, the ‘lil’ ones”.
Armed with her team of psychologists, they also help victims of domestic violence and recovering addicts. Future plans include teaching these young mothers the skills they need to resurrect their lives. “We want to teach them to bake, to cook and give them practical skills like hairstyling and other skills that can help them get a job,” she said.
The long-term vision is for Rae to grow her capacity to assist abandoned women by moving to a larger facility. Lil Choices accepts donations of non-perishable foods, toiletries and women’s clothes. If you are or know of someone who is in need of Lil Choices’ services, please call Rae on 082 782 6018 or email director@lilchoices.org.
