BabyLine offers hope to struggling mothers
BabyLine will function as a dedicated phone and WhatsApp number as well as a Facebook page offering support and counselling to both pregnant mothers who are in crisis and mothers struggling to cope.
NON-profit organisation, the Peace Agency South Africa, specialising in the care of orphans and vulnerable children, launched BabyLine on 1 April.
BabyLine will function as a dedicated phone and WhatsApp number as well as a Facebook page, which will be manned by social workers, offering support and counselling to both pregnant mothers who are in crisis and mothers struggling to cope.
Child abandonment is an ongoing crisis in South Africa, with an estimated 3500 children abandoned every year, explained Justin Foxton, co-founder of the Peace Agency.
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“The reason for this, is that many mothers find themselves alone, desperate and with no options. BabyLine will provide much needed psychological and practical support to these mums. The support structures in the country for pregnant women, and mothers in crisis situations are very limited.
“High rates of poverty, gender-based violence, rape, lack of support and shame are some of the contributing factors that lead to neglect, abandonment, infanticide and illegal abortion. The main aim of BabyLine is to encourage family integration and to prevent abandonment, by providing care, counselling, support and a network to assist mothers who are struggling to care adequately for their baby,” he said.
“The success of BabyLine hinges on the support we get from communities, pulling together all the resources at our disposal into a solid and well-connected network. We would therefore like to call on members of the public, non -profit and faith-based organisations and individuals providing support and assistance for women in need to partner with us,” said Foxton.
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