In view of the tragedy that occurred on Tuesday June 21 when the remains of a newborn baby was found next to the Homelake railway tracks, the Herald spoke to Door of Care and Safety, an organisation that has a baby saver box where babies can be placed anonymously.

Founder and director of Door of Care and Safety, Ramona van der Heever said the purpose of her organisation is to provide a safe space for new mothers who don’t have the means to care for their babies to leave them in the “box” anonymously, instead of abandoning them in an unsafe and life-threatening place.

Also read: Newborn found dead next to Homelake railway tracks

She described the baby saver box as a very safe and secure box in a wall that is linked to a specific alarm system.

“When the mother or someone else places the baby in the box, we receive an electronic signal alerting us to the baby in the box. We then take the baby into the house, and the mother’s anonymity remains respected and ensured. Once the baby is safely inside the house, the necessary steps are taken to ensure the baby is in no medical harm. We also notify the Department of Social Development and Randfontein Children’s Court.”

Ramona explained that it is essential to create awareness in the community regarding this matter, because they feel strongly that no baby should be abandoned as there’s always hope and a helping hand.

We don’t judge or discriminate against the mother who places a baby in our baby saver box; we celebrate life. We need to highlight the importance of preventing babies being abandoned and that there are facilities that would assist.

“At Door of Care and Safety, we believe that loving and caring for those little ones is an honour and that abandonment should never be considered.”

She said that since the organisation was started in 2016, she had received eight babies. They celebrate knowing that eight babies were safe and granted the opportunity to a better life.

“Door of Care and Safety acts as a place of safety and assists with abandoned, abused and orphaned babies and children from any environment that threatens their well-being. In collaboration with other welfare institutions and the Children’s Court, we take in children until they can be placed in foster care or be adopted.”

Door of Care and Safety can be found at 39 Pollock Street in Randfontein. For more information contact Ramona on 082 464 9788.