Local baby shelter welcomes a new bundle of joy
The note contained the heartbreaking story of a mother and the struggles she was undergoing to give up her child.
Life Link Pregnancy Crisis Centre and Jeremiah’s Hope Baby Safe and Shelter welcomed a baby on July 16 at around 15:40 through the baby saver located at it’s Kempton Park premises.
Founder of Pregnancy Life Link Crisis Centre, Sharon Rushton, was excited of the baby’s arrival.
Rushton stated that the centre has been operating for two years and during this time staff have seen the arrival of 26 babies.
She said since last year December the organisation welcomed three babies.
“I founded the organisation because there had been an increase in abandoned infants in Kempton Park in the years prior. This gave me the motivation to open a facility that offers a positive alternative to abandonment.
“A baby saver is an alarm-equipped device that alerts staff at the centre when the baby is placed inside the box.
The pressure mat inside the baby safe will set off an alarm that will notify SSS Security and other key role players who will then attend to the baby.
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“The individual who chose this process remains anonymous,” said Rushton.
“The baby safe will automatically lock as the mother closes the door to stop anyone from removing the child from outside.
“The infant will be retrieved from the baby safe in a matter of minutes from the time the pressure mat is triggered an alarm that alerts SSS Security and other important stakeholders.”
Rushton added that when staff opened the box on July 16, they found a note and a newborn infant.
The note contained the heartbreaking story of a mother and the struggles she was undergoing to give up her child.
“The mother was unable to care for the child.”
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Rushton said it was a bittersweet moment as she read the mother’s note because she recognises that the mother had to make a difficult choice and that the baby saver was a last alternative.
She added that after an infant is taken out of the safe, if he or she requires medical treatment, the infant will be transferred to a hospital where the care will be provided.
“If the infant is declared healthy, we bring him or her into our organisation, where a medical report is completed and a file is opened.
“Our social worker then receives the case and the infant will be made available for adoption once the legal procedures have been completed.”
Rushton said the organisation collaborates closely with the police.
The organisation offers counselling for women and mothers every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 09:00 and 13:00.
For more information, contact Life Link Pregnancy Crisis Centre and Jeremiah’s Hope Baby Safe and Shelter on 083 562 6106.
