In August of 2017, Leah and Austin Davies were living a happy life on Pender Island with their seven, and soon to be eight, children. One evening, when Leah was just 30 weeks pregnant, she had to be flown to Victoria to receive immediate care. Two days later, she delivered baby Annie Rose, who weighed only two pounds and 15 ounces. Being 10 weeks early, it was going to be a long road to recovery for both Annie Rose and Leah.

For families that have to travel great distances to receive hospital care, unplanned visits can pose many challenges including many unplanned expenses.

Thanks to Victoria’s home away from home, Jeneece Place, all of the girls in the Davies family were able to stay with their mom and be well looked after right beside the hospital, while all of the boys could go home with their dad and then come back to visit. Jane, who is now 10, documented their experience at Jeneece Place, where they stayed for 47 nights.

“Staying at Jeneece Place was fun! We got our own room. There was a playroom downstairs, a kitchen, and a movie room. Outside there were fun toys to play with. Every morning after breakfast we went to the craft room beside the playroom to make crafts. Not too far away from Jeneece place there was a bike trail. We had a lot of fun walks on the trail and there were a lot of movies to choose from.”

Instead of the Davies family remembering that as a worry-filled time, they have fond memories of a home away from home to play and just be kids. Annie Rose (shown in the photo with her sister Jane) is now a healthy baby and recently celebrated her first birthday!

Thanks to our generous donors, we can support Island families like the Davies. Consider donating to our Kids First Fund today.