What to do if you cannot keep your baby advises Social Worker of Home Meah

Social Worker Manager of Home Meah, Grè Erasmus, advises mothers who are compelled to give up their babies to rather take them to Home Meah where the little ones will be loved and cared for.

May 17, 2017

Zianne Leibrandt 2 minutes read

Home Meah is a registered place of safety and child and youth care centre, specialising in the care of babies and toddlers from birth to the age of three years.

NEWCASTLE CBD – A baby is a blessing and one of the greatest gift to a woman. You nurture, protect it and raise a child with fundamental values until they are ready to step out into the world on their own and build their own life.

However, more often than we realise, babies are abandoned because of reasons we cannot fathom.

What many women do not know is that there are places dedicated to helping mothers who do not want or cannot take care of their children.

Social Worker Manager of Home Meah, Grè Erasmus, advises mothers who are compelled to give up their babies to rather take them to Home Meah where the little ones will be loved and cared for.

“What people don’t realise is that when a child is dumped or abandoned, the process of getting that child adopted is extremely prolonged by police and child welfare investigations.”

She said the proper way to go about if you could not keep your baby was to contact a social worker or visit the home itself, and request that your child be placed in a childcare centre. You can either have your child reside there until you are back on your feet, or you can give your child up for adoption.

Erasmus said in the event of a child being given up for adoption, the mother is assisted by a social worker through the legalities in the Children’s Court, whereafter a loving family will have the opportunity to adopt the child as soon as possible, ensuring a better life for that child.

“This is a much faster and friendlier way of giving up your baby. You will not get into trouble and the police will not be involved in the process at all.”

When a baby is dumped or abandoned, police are informed and investigations are launched.

If the mother is found, she will be arrested, charged with abandonment or concealment of birth and will face punitive measures.

“This also prolongs the chances of the baby being adopted as police investigations can take up to six months to be finalised. Thereafter, various advertising must be done around South Africa to find the mother of the child or any relatives, as required by the Children’s Act. Then there is the difficult procedure of registering the child at home affairs,” Erasmus said.

Home Meah is a NGO and is subsidised by the Department of Social Development. However, it cannot function without additional financial support by the community and benefactors.

Apart from financial support, the home always needs fresh food, formula, clothing, blankets, toiletries and nappies.

Anyone who wants to donate is welcome to contact Home Meah on 034 312 2580, 072 914 4413 or 083 269 9056.

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