Baby safe construction begins after body of dumped baby girl forced community to act
The groundbreaking ceremony for Middelburg's first baby safe took place at St John's Presbyterian Church, where the safe will be erected.
Head Magistrate and Children’s Court Adjudicator Ms Sanet du Plessis and Project Manager Ms Frances Davies had the honours of taking the first dig at the spot where the baby safe will be constructed on the church grounds.
Read: Baby girl found in refuse bin laid to rest
The spot is situated right next to where baby Madison’s ashes had been interred by the church following the baby girl’s discovery in a garden refuse bin in Joubert Street in July.
Read: Our town’s first baby safe
Apart from agreeing to afford the full term baby girl a final resting place in its Garden of Remembrance, St John’s congregation also wholly agreed to name her Madison, meaning Gift of God.
Read: Please Help: Community urged to assist with choosing a name for girlchild in the refuse bin
Baby Madison was the latest discovery in a spate of baby abandonment incidents plaguing Middelburg over a couple of years.
Her tiny body was discovered face down on a pile of rubbish, still snugly wrapped in her mother’s bloody nightgown. A woman looking for plastic bags found her and notified authorities.
Read: Video shows how baby was dumped
She was destined for a pauper’s burial but Reverend Kokkie Smit and his congregation nobly stepped in.
Little did he know that this gesture would pave the way for a unanimous vote by his church elders for Middelburg’s first baby safe to be constructed on holy ground.
Read: Warning – graphic content: Five babies dumped in less then two months
A dedicated committee comprising of social workers, the children’s court, local hospitals, ER24, volunteers and www.mobserver.co.za toiled relentlessly behind the scenes to make the baby safe a reality.
Read: Update: Police finally make arrest after latest discovery of abandoned baby
Residents who wish to contribute in any way can contact Ms Davies on 082 375 4997.
Read: New born baby found dead
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