Premature Baby Project

Premature Baby Project

The Premature Baby Project began in response to real frontline hospital needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, clothing and warming supplies for premature babies were in short supply, needed frequent replacement, and required special specifications that were often unavailable on the market. Perth volunteers therefore launched a handmade initiative, with the craft class sewing miniature garments and sleeping pads so that each item would truly meet clinical needs. In 2021, the project was officially launched and donations were sent to the neonatal centre at King Edward Memorial Hospital; in 2024, donation capacity expanded, and on International Neonatal Nurses Day volunteers also promoted vegetarian meals at the hospital, delivering vegetarian lunchboxes and fruit to medical staff and social workers.

On 14 September 2021, three Tzu Chi Perth volunteers—Lin Wen-jun (far left), Li Xiao-jing (second from left), and Chen Shu-zhen—delivered clothing and sleeping pads to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Nurse Ms. Zhang Yan-hua first arranged for the volunteers to meet Dr. Mary Sharp (third from left), Head of Paediatrics. Teacher Li Xiao-jing explained to Dr. Sharp the fabric used for the clothing and the improvements made to the sleeping pads, which could make the babies feel more comfortable.

The craft class sewed 62 pieces of clothing for premature babies, 25 sleeping pads, and 42 knitted caps to donate to the hospital’s neonatal centre

Every year, 15 August is International Neonatal Nurses Day. On this special day, Tzu Chi Perth’s craft class made 120 pieces of clothing for premature babies and donated them to the neonatal intensive care unit at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

As expected, medical staff ate their lunchboxes in the staff room while praising the food enthusiastically. They were curious about how the fragrant and crispy vegetarian fish was made, and needless to say found it delicious. One doctor from the children’s hospital even asked volunteers where Tzu Chi’s food could be purchased.

That day, volunteers also happened to meet Tzu Chi care recipient Mandeep (far left). After visiting her child who had been hospitalized due to premature birth, she stepped out of the neonatal intensive care unit and was delightfully surprised to see the Tzu Chi volunteers. The radiant smile on her face was like seeing family, carrying an indescribable sense of trust and strength. Her smile not only confirmed what the social worker had said, but also strengthened our original intention for bringing charity work into the hospital.

The doll held by volunteer Li Xiao-jing is named “Aisha,” a name that carries the meaning of “spreading love throughout the community and purifying hearts” (a play on words in Chinese). The items on Aisha—from the knitted cap and vest to the pillow and sleeping pad—were all carefully designed according to the professional experience of the premature-baby nursing team at King Edward Memorial Hospital to welcome these “angels who arrived early.”

Tzu Chi volunteers followed the original samples and improved them by using softer fabrics, making the garments more comfortable and thoughtful. Among them, the small sewn pillow not only protects a premature baby’s head, but also helps support medical tubing.

At the invitation of volunteer Li Xiao-jing, Zoia (second from left) and her sister Nadiia fully used their knitting skills to complete 40 palm-sized warm knitted caps, transforming from former recipients of help into helpers who now give to others.

Craft-class volunteers delivered handmade items filled with love—including 65 pieces of clothing, 43 pillows, and 40 knitted caps—to the premature-baby centre at King Edward Memorial Hospital, continuing to protect these little lives that need special care.