Belgium/Maison Maternelle du Brabant wallon: a refuge to rebuild your life
The Maison Maternelle du Brabant wallon (MaMaBW), a non-profit organization supported by Viva for Life, is a place where mothers and their children find a second chance.
Here, we welcome pregnant women or women with children fleeing violence or social distress. These women, often without a solution, need a helping hand to get back on their feet. As director Françoise Jacques puts it: "We're here to listen, support and help.We're here to listen, accompany and support these women as they rebuild their lives.."
A daily routine designed for children
As for the children, they're back to a normal life: a room all their own, school or crèche, and plenty of activities to help them blossom. "Our home is a bubble of air where the little ones can just be kids," adds Françoise. Thanks to Viva for Life, we can also offer them a variety of leisure activities to help them forget their grown-up worries for a while.
MaMaBW services
- Welcome House
We welcome mothers, sometimes very young, with children of all ages. The idea? To help mothers find their bearings and support the mother-child relationship on a day-to-day basis. Mothers prepare their own meals and manage their day-to-day lives, with the help of the educators. Each mother and child leaves with a plan for a more secure future.
- Community Life House
When they leave the Maison d'Accueil, some mothers still need time to settle down. The Community House offers them temporary accommodation to finalize their plans. Alone or with children, each woman contributes to community life and makes progress towards social reintegration. A financial contribution is requested, adapted to each woman's income. Everything is done within the framework of the Walloon Code of Social Action and Health.
- Post-Housing Service: "La Passerelle
When the stay is over, the link doesn't stop. With "La Passerelle", the asbl continues to support families in their new life. Two options:
- Follow-up at home: the asbl helps families to create a network around their new home, in partnership with local players.
- Punctual support: when there's a need, the asbl remains a resource ready to help.
Thanks to your donations to Viva for Life
Every day, MaMaBW does more than just provide shelter. It offers a fresh start, a safe, warm place for mothers and children to look forward to a better future. At last, children can just be children.
Thanks to Viva for Life, the non-profit organization will create a play and educational area for children in the gardens of the maternity home.
Source: www.rtbf.be/
