Glenhills baby home provides a safe haven to abandoned babies
House mother, Rachel Uys, said she was overjoyed that Ray of Hope's doors are still open as they have experienced some tough times during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially last year, but she and her team of caregivers are grateful to still be able to provide support to babies who are in need.
PROVIDING love, care, a safe environment and lots of cuddles and kisses is what Ray of Hope Babies Home has been doing for abandoned babies for the past 12 years.
The home, which is a project of Immanuel Christian Church, celebrated its 12th birthday on Wednesday, September 1 with the arrival of four new babies earlier that week.
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House mother, Rachel Uys, said she was overjoyed that Ray of Hope’s doors are still open as they have experienced some tough times during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially last year, but she and her team of caregivers are grateful to still be able to provide support to babies who are in need.
“On September 3, 2009 we received our first baby. She was a premature girl named Pauline. We have had about 60 babies go through our doors in past 12 years. All of them have been adopted,” she said.
The church is responsible for staff salaries and the upkeep of the home, however they rely on public donations of baby food, clothes and cosmetics.
Ray of Hope is permitted to take care of six babies at a time, but for almost two years, babies were not being moved as Covid-19 staggered the adoption process due to staff constraints at child welfare offices and other departments.
“I ended up having babies become toddlers while they waited to be placed in homes. I now have six babies ranging from 11 weeks old to 18 months old,” said Uys.
She said it was hard to pinpoint why babies are abandoned but experience and the circumstances surrounding the cases lead her to believe that poverty, rape, abuse or that the mother is a sex worker, could be the reasons.
“Often people see an abandoned baby as a negative thing, and it is if the baby does not survive. But to my way of thinking, if the baby is then adopted by a loving family, and is given the love that it needs, then it’s a beautiful thing. The mindset of that mother is that she doesn’t want the child, so there is nothing stopping her from wanting to abandon him when he or she is a teenager,” she said.
Ray of Hope Babies Home is calling on the community to show their support by donating items such as baby food items (cereal, Purity, etc.), bum cream, medication (Panado, Calpol, Rescue drops, Allergex), Pure soap and creams (for babies with allergies) and clothing.
“Another thing which the babies need more than anything is volunteers. We really need more arms to hold these babies. They need to be held and loved, it’s almost like they know something is wrong, as if they are missing something. I do a screening for volunteers so if anyone would like to come assist, they can contact me, ” said Uys.
To make a donation or for more information call Uys on 084 924 3100 or email info@roh.org.za
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