Durban • Community-driven since 2020
Every baby deserves
a caring start.
Together, we pack essential baby care into every bag and deliver practical support, dignity and hope to mothers and babies who need it most.
The idea
More than a bag.
A nappy bag may seem simple. But for a mother facing difficult circumstances, having nappies, wipes, clothing and other essentials can mean one less thing to worry about.
Every bag is packed with practical essentials — and with something just as important: the message that someone cares.
- Donation
- Packing
- Delivery
- Support
- Hope
What's inside?
Packed with the essentials.
Filled with care.
-
Newborn Nappies
-
Wet Wipes
-
Nappy Cream
-
Baby Clothing
-
Other Essentials
Items may vary depending on current needs and donations.
Who we support
Supporting babies, mothers and the people caring for them.
-
Vulnerable Mothers
Practical support that eases the load in a mother's most demanding early days.
-
Homeless Shelters
Essentials delivered to shelters supporting mothers and babies without a home.
-
Baby Safes
Support for facilities that give an abandoned baby a first, safe place to be.
-
Facilities Caring for Abandoned Babies
Essential items for organisations giving abandoned infants care and a start.
-
Healthcare & Community Outreach
Working alongside local healthcare facilities and community outreach initiatives.
How you can help
Four simple ways to make a difference.
-
Donate a Bag
Give a new or pre-loved nappy bag filled with essential baby items.
Donate now -
Donate Essentials
Help provide the nappies, wipes and clothing that go into each bag.
Donate now -
Volunteer
Give your time to help pack, organise and support outreach initiatives.
Get involved -
Partner With Us
Businesses, schools, churches and community groups can get involved.
Partner with us
Our story
From one simple idea to a community of care.
-
2020 — The idea begins
In April 2020, Durban resident Dr Devarshni Reddy noticed the surplus of baby bags she had received after having her own children, and wanted to find a meaningful way to help mothers who did not have access to basic baby essentials. A simple question followed: could these bags help another mother?
-
Community
Together with her friend Bhavna Singh, Devarshni began turning that question into action. Friends, families and community members started contributing new and pre-loved bags, nappies, wipes and clothing.
-
Outreach
Packed bags began reaching vulnerable mothers and the organisations supporting them — shelters, baby safes, healthcare facilities and community outreach initiatives, including work connected with Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital during Nelson Mandela Day.
-
Today
The Nappy Bag Initiative continues bringing people together around one simple act of care — a bag, packed with essentials, handed on with hope.
Our impact
Practical support, when it matters.
1,500+
Bags donated
15,000+
Baby essentials distributed
1,500+
Mothers & babies supported
20+
Community partners
Estimated figures since 2020.
“Essentials for newborn babies.”
“Support for vulnerable mothers.”
“Care for babies who need it.”
“Communities coming together.”
Our signature journey
A bag's journey.
A simple act of giving becomes a packed bag. A packed bag becomes practical support, human connection, and hope.
-
Step 1
You Give
A person donates a nappy bag or baby essentials.
-
Step 2
We Collect
Donations come together from across the community.
-
Step 3
We Pack
Volunteers carefully pack nappies, wipes, clothing and essentials into each bag.
-
Step 4
We Deliver
Completed bags are taken to a shelter, baby safe, healthcare facility or outreach initiative.
-
Step 5
A Mother Receives Support
A dignified, human moment — and one less thing to worry about.
-
Step 6
A Baby Gets a Better Start
Care, dignity, and the beginning of a brighter future.
Join the community
Join our community of care.
Nappy Bag Initiative is community-driven, powered by everyday people showing up for mothers and babies. Follow along, share what you can, and be part of it.
Join Our Facebook Community-
“I left the hospital with nothing prepared. The bag had nappies, a blanket, a little beanie and cream — everything I needed for those first days at home.”
-
“Many of our mothers are discharged with very little. Being able to hand them a packed bag means they walk out feeling cared for, not forgotten.”
-
“Our prem babies spend weeks in the nursery. On World Prematurity Day the bags gave their mothers something to celebrate after a long, hard journey.”
-
“We set out to pack 67 bags for Mandela Day. Seeing the formula and newborn packs lined up, ready to go, showed what 67 minutes can really become.”
-
“Packing Emmaus bags over the weekend has become a family ritual. My children choose the clothes and know exactly who they are helping.”
-
“We came for the Colour Blast and left with the kids asking when we could drop off more baby clothes. It is giving that feels like a celebration.”
Illustrative stories inspired by our initiatives — shared to show the moments your support makes possible.
One bag. One mother.
One little life touched.
You don't need to change the whole world to make a difference. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a bag packed with care.