PRETORIA ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP (PASG)

I have searched, and searched, but could not find a adoption support group in the Pretoria area. Therefore, recently started the Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG), as there was a need for such a group in the Pretoria area. The group offers support to individuals and couples considering adoption (transracial families. single parents, gay parents or any other family), as well as those who have already adopted their precious children. Meetings are held on the first Sunday of every month in order for adoptive families to socialise, share experiences and to offer hope and encouragement to newcomers.

A FACEBOOK page was created to provide additional information and a source for contact with all members. Please search for us on FACEBOOK for more information.

Our first get-together is planned for Sunday, 6 June 2010 from 11:00 to 13:00.

You can also contact the Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) by sending a message to the following e-mail address: pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.

That is so wonderful Hopeful! I know that there are a real need for support groups like these everywhere. I hope that all those hopeful's dreams come true.

You are doing something wonderful, and I wish you all the success!

The first PASG get-together will be held on Sunday, 6 June 2010 from 11:00 to 13:00 at Jingle Jangle (Tea Garden & Nursery), Wekker Street, Plot 54, Kimiad Estate, Moreleta Park, Pretoria. If you would like to attend, please RSVP on forthcoming events on our facebook page, or e-mail: pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.

The next social get-together for the Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) is planned for Sunday, 4 July 2010 from 11:00 to 13:00 (venue still to be confirmed). Please visit us on our facebook page or contact us on e-mail: pretoriaasg@yahoo.com for further details.

The Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) wholeheartedly supports "Mandela Day" which will be on Sunday, 18 July 2010, and encourages everyone to join in this wonderful campaign and opportunity to do something good to help others. Madiba was politically active for 67 years... his life has been an inspiration to the world and now it's our time to spend at least 67 minutes of our time "to make an imprint and help change the world around us" by doing something useful within our communities, especially the less fortunate. Refer to the facebook page of the PASG, if you live in the Pretoria area, if you want to join us with regards to contributing to the 2010 Mandela Day. Love to hear from you!

Wow you are really busy well done for creating a support group.

The next social get-together for the PASG is planned for Sunday, 15 August 2010 from 12:00 to 14:00 at the Safari Garden Centre, Willows, Pretoria East. A table has been booked in the tea garden adjacent to the kiddies playground. Please feel free to bring grandma/grandpa etc., just let us know ahead of time iro seating for all.

For further information, please contact Michelle Aspeling (Co-ordinator) or Michelle Du Plessis by sending an e-mail to pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.

The next spring social get-together for the PASG is planned for Sunday, 5 September 2010 from 11:00 to 13:00.

For further information, please contact Michelle Aspeling (Co-ordinator) or Michelle Du Plessis by sending an e-mail to pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.

The next Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) is planned for Sunday, 10 October 2010 from 12:00 to 14:00 at Zita Park, Zita Road, Garsfontein, Pretoria East.

For further information or to RSVP, please visit the PASG facebook page (under upcoming events) or send us an e-mail to - pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month (unfortunately still unofficial in South Africa), however, it’s a month set aside to raise awareness about the adoption of children, to promote positive perceptions surrounding adoption and to celebrate the unique joys of creating families through adoption.

Promoting awareness can be done through simple everyday activities and provides opportunity to educate ourselves and others about adoption. The activities should be fun and be enjoyed by the whole family!

If you would like to join the PASG during our November 2010 social get-together and help raise awareness please contact us via e-mail: pretoriaasg@yahoo.com or visit our Facebook page for further information.

The Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, 12 December 2010 from 12:00 to 14:00.

Parents please buy any inexpensive present for your precious child (or children) - only one present per child at a cost of no more than R100-00. Please wrap the present and write your child's name clearly on the present. Santa Clause will be there to hand-out the gifts to the kids!

The PASG will also be donating presents this festive period to less fortunate children. Stationary works well, as it is a unisex present and applicable for a wide age range or maybe a soft toy for those really little ones. We will have a box ready at the PASG Christmas Party for these presents, and if you see your way open at all to buy a gift for another child, it would really be appreciated. Note: The PASG will be donating the Christmas gifts to the Tshwane Place of Safety Association, as they will be doing a Christmas hospital round on the 17th of December and will be handing out Christmas gifts to children in hospital, namely the George Mukhari Hospital in Soshanguve where they have 18 children's wards, 1 neonatal unit, i icu and 1 kangaroo mother care unit. The gifts will be handed out to those who have to spend Christmas in hospital! When you wrap the present, please make sure to write the gender and age the gift is suitable for clearly on the outside.

If you would like to join the PASG for our upcoming Christmas party, please contact us via e-mail: pretoriaasg@yahoo.com or visit our Facebook page for further information.

The next Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG) get-together is planned for Sunday, 6 February 2011 from 12:00 to 14:00.

The PASG is honoured and privileged to have the author of 'Someone's Daughter - She's Adopted But Don't Tell', Aurette Bowes, addressing the PASG. 'Someone's Daughter' is a South African author's own true account of how, as an adult, she learned that she is not her parents' biological child, but was adopted by them as a baby in a closed adoption. The book tells of the profound and permanent impact this discovery had on her life and that of her family. It documents the search for her birth mother, their reunion and the development of their relationship thereafter. 'Someone's Daughter' relates how the author found emotional healing through her Christian faith and learned to embrace her dual identity. The book also includes a chapter by her husband, in which he reveals how he and the children were affected by the discovery of the author's adoption and how they dealt with it.

The talk will be followed by a question & answer session and there will be a raffle draw, and the lucky winner will receive a personalised/signed copy of the book, 'Someone's Daughter.

If you are interested to attend, please contact the co-ordinator of the PASG on e-mail: pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.

The article “Telling your child that they are adopted – when and how”, was specifically provided to all PASG families, as part of our monthly Newsletter (The Adoption Connection) - February 2011 edition. This is to keep to our theme for this month, as we will be having the author of the book "Someone's Daughter - She's Adopted, Don't Tell", Aurette Bowes, that will be addressing the PASG on Sunday, 6 February 2011. Although the article is a personal reflection, it provides information to any adoptive family that has wondered when and how to tell their child (or children) that they are adopted.

Follow the following link - http://aurettebowes.wordpress.com/ to the article "Telling Your Child They Are Adopted - When And How" by Michelle Aspeling, Co-ordinator of the Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG).

Anyone interested to find out more about the Pretoria Adoption Support Group (PASG), please visit our Facebook page or send us an e-mail to - pretoriaasg@yahoo.com.