Our story
Two mothers, a surplus of bags, and one simple question.
Nappy Bag Initiative began as a small act of care in Durban — and became a community.
How it started
A surplus of bags, and a question worth asking.
The Nappy Bag Initiative is a community-driven project based in Durban, South Africa. It began in April 2020 after Durban resident Dr Devarshni Reddy noticed the surplus of baby bags she had received after having her own children.
She wanted to find a meaningful way to help mothers who did not have access to basic baby essentials — and so the idea for the Nappy Bag Initiative was born.
Our founders
The people behind the initiative.
Dr Devarshni Reddy
Co-Founder
Dr Devarshni Reddy is a respected healthcare professional whose dedication to maternal, infant, and community well-being inspired the creation of the Nappy Bag Initiative. Through her work in the healthcare sector, she has witnessed first-hand the challenges many families face when trying to access even the most basic necessities for their babies.
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Motivated by a desire to make a meaningful difference beyond the clinical environment, Dr Reddy co-founded the Initiative to support families experiencing financial hardship and to ensure that essential baby care products are available to those who need them most.
Her medical expertise, compassionate leadership, and deep understanding of community health needs provide invaluable guidance to the organisation’s mission. Dr Reddy is passionate about promoting the health, dignity, and welfare of mothers and children and believes that supporting families during the earliest stages of life creates stronger and healthier communities for future generations.
Through the Nappy Bag Initiative, she continues to champion a vision where no baby is deprived of basic necessities and every family receives the support, care, and compassion they deserve.
Bhavna Singh
Co-Founder
Bhavna Singh is a passionate community advocate dedicated to improving the lives of mothers, babies, and families facing difficult circumstances. With a strong belief that every child deserves a healthy and dignified start in life, she co-founded the Nappy Bag Initiative to address the growing need for access to essential baby care items within vulnerable communities.
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Driven by compassion and a commitment to social impact, Bhavna works to build meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, healthcare professionals, and community partners who share the organisation’s vision. Her ability to connect people with purpose has been instrumental in growing the Initiative’s reach and ensuring that support is delivered where it is needed most.
Bhavna believes that kindness, generosity, and community collaboration can create lasting change. Through the Nappy Bag Initiative, she is committed to empowering families, restoring dignity, and providing practical assistance that helps give every baby the best possible start in life.
Melinta Naidu
Co-Founder
Melinta Naidu is a passionate human capital leader and community advocate with extensive experience in people management and social impact initiatives. Throughout her professional career, she has remained deeply committed to supporting vulnerable individuals and strengthening communities through meaningful, sustainable interventions.
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Inspired by the challenges faced by many mothers and caregivers who struggle to provide essential baby care items, Melinta co-founded the Nappy Bag Initiative to help bridge the gap between need and access. Her vision is to create a platform that not only provides practical support through donated nappy bags and baby essentials but also restores dignity, hope, and confidence to families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. She believes that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impact and that every child deserves the opportunity to start life with care, comfort, and dignity.
Why we do it
One less thing to worry about.
A nappy bag may seem simple. But for a mother facing difficult circumstances, having nappies, wipes, clothing and other essentials on hand can ease one of the many pressures of those early days.
We believe small acts of care can make a meaningful difference — and that every baby deserves a caring start, regardless of circumstance.
Our shared vision
Every baby cared for. Every parent supported.
At the Nappy Bag Initiative, we share a vision of a South Africa where every baby has access to essential care items and every parent is supported with dignity, compassion, and hope. We believe that no child should go without basic necessities due to financial hardship and that communities have the power to create meaningful change when they come together.
Through collaboration, generosity, and community-driven action, we strive to ensure that vulnerable mothers, babies, and families receive the support they need to thrive. Our vision is to build a future where every child is given the opportunity for a healthy start in life and where kindness becomes a catalyst for lasting social impact.
What we believe
The values behind every bag.
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Dignity
Every mother and baby we support is treated with respect and care.
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Community
Every bag is a collective effort — donors, packers and partners together.
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Practicality
We focus on what genuinely helps — essential, everyday baby items.
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Simplicity
A simple act — packing a bag — carried out with consistency and heart.
Who we support
Reaching mothers, babies, and the people caring for them.
Donations and outreach have supported vulnerable mothers, homeless shelters, baby safes, and facilities caring for abandoned babies — as well as local healthcare facilities and community outreach initiatives, including work connected with Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital during Nelson Mandela Day.
Our approach
Thoughtful, practical, and safe.
We collect new and pre-loved nappy bags and fill them with practical baby essentials — newborn nappies, wet wipes, bum cream, baby clothing and other appropriate items.
The Nappy Bag Initiative does not include formula as part of our standard baby bags, out of consideration for safe feeding practices.
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New & pre-loved nappy bags, collected from the community
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Filled with practical, appropriate baby essentials
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No formula in standard bags, for safe-feeding reasons
Want to be part of the story?
There are many ways to help — from packing a bag to becoming a partner.