Baby saver box installed in Umhlali
Some critics believe the box promotes baby abandonment, but the scope of the issue in South Africa makes it clear that abandonment is already happening and a solution is needed.
Roughly 3 500 babies are abandoned every year in South Africa.
This number equates to about 300 a month and only includes survivors.
It is believed that for every one baby found alive, two are found dead or not at all.
The launch of a baby saver box in Umhlali – the first on the North Coast – hopes to address this growing crisis which only becomes worse in times of turmoil in the country.
Installation of the box was motivated by Project Life Pregnancy Support founder and Salt Rock resident, Melissa ‘Milly’ Hertz, who found widespread community support for its operation.
The materials and installation of the box was donated by local businesses, the full list of which can be found next to the box in Umhlali.
“It is magnetically sealed and can only be opened once, after which it is locked until support arrives. Once the box is closed, an alarm is sent to Alpha Security and IPSS Medical Rescue who will respond within minutes and assess whether the baby needs medical help,” said Hertz.
Hearts That Hope will then take care of the child as an interim measure, while Project Life works with leading child protection organisations to secure a long-term home.
And crucially, the box – which is in the wall of Christ Church North Coast – is hidden enough that a baby drop can be done anonymously, given it is technically an illegal act.
“The mothers have a 60 day period to call the numbers on the box and take their child back – under certain conditions. We understand that this is a moment of desperation for mothers who believe they are left with no better choice. It is not our place to judge them for their decision,” she said.
Hertz says some critics believe the box promotes baby abandonment, but the scope of the issue in South Africa makes it clear that abandonment is already happening and a solution is needed.
It was a baby abandonment in 2018 which caused Hertz to found Project Life.
“We were living in Belville when a baby was abandoned nearby. It was winter, so it was dark and cold and that baby died. My heart broke for that child and I have been trying to help avoid those scenarios ever since.”
Project Life offers online pregnancy support, post-abortion counselling and sex education, and it is affiliated to the Pregnancy Help Network and Baby Savers South Africa (BSSA).
Per BSSA’s website, there are currently 35 listed boxes in the network across the country, with the Umhlali box becoming the fourth in KwaZulu-Natal.
For more details, visit www.babysaverssa.co.za and www.project-life.co.za
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