Three-week-old safely surrendered to Umhlali baby saver box
A three-week-old baby was safely surrendered in an Umhlali church baby box on Saturday, marking a first for the two-year-old facility.
The baby box alarm at Christ Church North Coast was triggered on Saturday afternoon, prompting a swift response from emergency services and volunteers.
Milly Hertz, founder of Project Life SA, volunteer Jenna Crilly and IPSS Medical Rescue paramedic Thinus Stander arrived at the scene to discover a baby boy wrapped in blankets. Alongside him was a bag containing nappies and wet wipes, left by his mother.
The baby box was installed two years ago by Project Life SA and Baby Savers SA (BSSA) to offer desperate mothers a safe, anonymous alternative to unsafe baby abandonment. The infant was placed in the care of Hearts that Hope, a local child welfare organisation, and all relevant authorities were notified.
'The mother did not leave her baby in a field. She used the saver, which must have been incredibly difficult. You never know why people do what they do; we don't know her situation,' said Hertz.
'We are not encouraging abandonment but many people misunderstand what we are trying to achieve.'
Project Life SA aims to prevent unsafe abandonment and teen pregnancies through education, counselling, awareness and support campaigns at schools, churches and youth groups.
Though this is the first time the Umhlali baby box has been used, Project Life has supported eight other local women through its helpline. The box is monitored 24/7, and all mothers remain completely anonymous.
According to BSSA, thousands of babies are abandoned annually in South Africa. Their network of over 40 boxes has helped save more than 500 babies to date.
For more information, visit babysaverssa.co.za and project-life.co.za.
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