Organisation desperate for donations to support vulnerable and unwanted babies

Starfish Babies, located at Crots Street in Rietfontein in the Moot, provides support for vulnerable and unwanted babies and toddlers who are cared for in safe family environments.

These families voluntarily care for babies and toddlers until more permanent placement is arranged.

Starfish Babies manager Janice Spencer said they have been operational since April this year and would love a permanent home as a place of safety.

“The place of safety families are also supported practically and emotionally, through regular contact and assistance when unforeseen circumstances arise, but Starfish Babies endeavours to support the place of safety family holistically,” she said.

They desperately need donations and funds and Spencer asked the community to please help out.

“We need amongst others milk formula, nappies, clothing, cots, prams and – most importantly – medical and specialised care.

“The cost to care for these children averages between R1 000 to R1 200 per month and some of the children could be in a place of safety for up to a year,” Spencer said.

Their main goals are to establish project structure and ensure the project complies with the relevant laws and regulations.

“We want to actively engage with social workers to get the babies permanently placed as well as establish relationships and partnerships with other like-minded organisations to share resources,” she said.

Starfish Babies networks with other child protection organisations, the Department of Social Development, private social workers, police, hospitals, as well as community clinics.

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Currently, they have eight babies in their care of which three were successfully placed in either foster, adopted or went back to biological parents.

The youngest baby they have is two months old and the oldest is one year old.

“Currently we have 10 registered mums with a few more in process.

“We are always very happy to receive secondhand or new baby clothes and other baby items,” she said.

Danie van Loggerenberg of the Child Protection hotline and a team of dedicated women, recently visited the home to hand over much-needed donations as well as to thank them for their love and care for vulnerable and unwanted babies and toddlers.

Also present at the gathering were Alicia van Wyk (Top Score Instant Porridge), social worker Chrisna Schmidt, Captain Yolanda van Huyssteen, Warrant Officer Melani Smit, Susan Andrews of the Villieria CPF and Ancelize van der Kooi of Kilnerpark Security.

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