Safe home for babies opens in Glenmore
The community is encouraged to get involved at HOLAH, a home for babies, which has moved to Glenmore.
A NEW place of safety for abandoned and orphaned babies has opened its doors in the Glenmore area.
HOLAH or House of Love and Hope, is the main project of Likhon Ithemba, founded by Kim Brown and Leanne Lorrance, a charity that exists to provide assistance to vulnerable children and their families in South Africa. HOLAH is a registered not-for-profit organisation, and takes on babies from birth to two years, with the aim of having these children adopted or reunited with their families.
Formerly known as the Durban North Baby House, HOLAH has been in operation since June 2012.
“HOLAH is a safe-haven that exists to love and care for the babies placed in our care until they can be placed with adoptive families. The babies have either been abandoned, orphaned, given up for adoption or removed from their parents' care. They come to us through Durban Child Welfare, child protection organisations or the South African Police Services (SAPS), with many babies being as young as a few hours old,” said Leanne.
A maximum of six babies can be taken in at any one time to ensure that each child is given the attention and care they deserve.
“Unlike standard orphanages, HOLAH has deliberately remained small and intimate to ensure the highest levels of care, love and attention can be offered to the young lives placed in our care. In addition to these high levels of care, our dedication to finding each individual child a ‘forever family’ sets our home apart from others,” said Leanne.
The house has moved to Glenmore and Leanne and Kim are looking for any donations of curtains and rugs, as the babies' room gets cold at night, as well as security gates.
“There are a lot of different ways people can help or get involved. We are trying to build up a data base in the area so people can get involved by visiting and stimulating the babies, through donations or helping with fundraisers. We are always in need of donations of nappies, wetwipes, toiletries and formula (Infacare 1 and 2),” said Leanne.
Contact Kim Brown on 083 232 5501 or email leanne on leanne@likhonithemba.co.za
