The concerning increase in unsafe baby abandonment in South Africa hits close to home even within the Garden Route. As unimaginable to many of us, an unfortunate number of mothers are not in a position to care for their babies. In desperation, they do the only thing they might feel possible by abandoning them. This is what has led us to introducing a Baby Saver project to George.

The statistics are alarming. According to Baby Savers South Africa, a national coalition of organisations working to put an end to unsafe infant abandonment, over 10, 000 babies are abandoned in South Africa every year. Out of this number, 70% are unsafe abandonments with the majority of infants being left in unsanitary areas like toilets, landfills, and sewers.

It is a reality that we may not want to face, but as a charity that places community above all else, we simply cannot do nothing. This is where our Baby Saver project comes in. There are over 40 baby safe boxes placed across South Africa. Even as nearby as Knysna, a similar project has been successfully launched. With our Baby Saver project, a first in George, we aim to provide a safe space where parents can anonymously place their babies.

While serious social action is necessary to decreases instances of abandonment, our Baby Saver project can save the lives of many innocent infants. With our Baby Saver, we can ensure that these infants receive medical attention if it is required, and beyond this it will ensure that they are placed in the proper care.
This will be achieved with a custom baby safe box. This box will close automatically and, when placed inside, the baby’s weight will act as a trigger. When activated, a call will go out to the person on shift to let them know that there’s a baby inside. Within minutes someone on our team will be there to take the baby out.