Le Roux calls for greater support
“This is a huge problem and the more I sat down and thought about the situation, I realised we need to address the source of the problem.”
Founder of Tree of Hope Lelanie le Roux has called for greater mental health awareness and support for pregnant women and new mothers after the body of a baby was found in a dustbin in Edenvale.
Following the discovery of the body at the intersection of Twelfth Avenue and Second Street on October 10, a case of concealment of birth was opened by Edenvale SAPS.
Although Edenvale SAPS communications officer Sgt Jacob Mashile could not provide the NEWS with the age of the child or whether or not it was a full-term pregnancy, he said the body was taken to Germiston mortuary where a post mortem would be conducted.
Le Roux, who was called to the scene to provide counselling to the paramedics, security personal and those at the scene, said when she received the news, she was heartbroken.
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According to national media, which recently reported on information provided by Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi, 143 babies were abandoned at Gauteng hospitals during 2020. However,
le Roux said it is estimated that in the past 18 month there were 158 unsafe abandonments in Gauteng.
“Of those 158 unsafe abandonments, 94 children were found dead,” she said.
“This is a huge problem and the more I sat down and thought about the situation, I realised we need to address the source of the problem.”
To date, Tree of Hope has had three safe abandonments at its baby box this year located at 23 Fifth Avenue.
“Two of the mothers who had abandoned their babies returned to Tree of Hope and explained they had abandoned their children while suffering from post-natal depression,” said le Roux.
She said many people who hear about a mother abandoning a child may judge the woman without trying to understand the woman’s situation or circumstance.
“Instead of shaking our heads when we hear about a child being abandoned, we need to start thinking about ways we can help these mothers and innocent children.”
In light of this, le Roux is calling on stakeholders in the hopes of creating a support structure for mothers to be, new mothers, those suffering from pre- and post-natal depression.
Le Roux, who works with several counsellors already, is calling upon medical professionals and psychiatrists to assist with the support group.
She is also calling on mothers who have suffered with pre- and post-natal depression who can assist and support mothers to be and new mothers along their journey.
“I would like to create a support system in the community to help those in need,” explained le Roux.
Besides hoping to create a support groupl Tree of Hope has a helpline for women in distress.
Additionally, le Roux highlighted that the organisation has started a project to assist new mothers by providing them with essentials when they choose to keep their children.
“When we assist the new mothers, we don’t only provide them with the essentials but we also look at their emotional needs.”
Tree of Hope’s crisis line is 062 4770 792. Alternatively, its WhatsApp contact number is 064 686 6085.
To assist with the formulation of the support group, contact le Roux on 083 456 5954.
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