ABANDONED newborns are a sad reality of today’s society and while it is difficult to stop mothers from abandoning their unwanted babies, the Choices for Life Centre in Amanzimtoti aims to spare the unwanted lives through installing a baby safe in 10 Nelson Road, Amanzimtoti (opposite from the Amanzimtoti Magistrates Court).
The safe was installed in October 2018.
Choices for Life Pregnancy Resource Centre introduced the first baby safe called ‘Impilo Baby Haven’ to the town. This as a giant leap towards saving innocent lives that can grow to have a bright future.
Abandoned babies have been found in bins, wrapped in plastic, thrown down manholes and long drops, left in toilets and pipes and discarded as trash at dumpsites. Of those found, one in two survive.
According to statistics, some 3,800 babies were documented as abandoned in South Africa. Between March 2017 and March 2018, nine babies were found abandoned in the Amanzimtoti area and of those, four had died. Only one death of a newborn is one too many.
The centre has taken a stand and provided a safe, secure place where these unwanted newborns can be left without fear of retribution being meted out on the mother.
The giant metal postbox-like structure (secured on the gate at 10 Nelson Road) contains a mattress and offers a secure place for the infant to be deposited. Once a baby is placed within the safe and the door is shut, it cannot be opened from the outside. This ensures the person leaving the baby cannot change their mind, nor can the abandoned infant be removed from the box by a passerby.
When a baby is placed in the safe:
- The weight of the baby (between 0.5kg and 5kg) on the mattress immediately transmits a call to three emergency numbers of staff, one after another, who will respond within minutes.
- If none of the three answer the call, a message is sent to each number. These three emergency numbers are reliable and constantly await a call.
- Once the baby is collected, Amanzimtoti SAPS is alerted and escorts the emergency responder and infant to undergo medical exams. This check-up will ensure the baby’s health is stable and it can receive any treatment needed.
- The baby will then be placed with a ‘mother’, who is registered with the centre, through which it is put up for adoption.
The identity of the person who leaves the baby in the safe is completely unknown, as there are no cameras around the safe or any other way of telling the identity.
On the wall below the baby safe, a list of instructions is clearly outlined in both English and isiZulu. It explains how the baby should be left within the safe, also stating that the decision made is permanent and binding, and that the baby will be adopted by a family in time. Counselling can be obtained by making Whatsapp contact with a number provided on the sign.
Abandoning a baby is an illegal act. The centre means to provide an alternative to the death of unwanted infants by providing this safe place for unwanted infants to be left.
Toti SAPS’s spokesman, Captain Charlene van der Spuy explained that while the act of abandoning an infant remains illegal, Toti SAPS supports the baby safe as when it comes to life and death, innocent lives can be saved through the installation of this mechanism, which is what matters.
The idea has received much criticism elsewhere, but as stated at the launch, there are those who take action, and those who do nothing but still criticise those who do act. Choices for Life is taking action and for that the community should support the centre’s efforts.
To find out more about the centre, visit Choices for Life on Instagram and Facebook, email manager@choicesforlife.co.za or call 031-903-7353, or Whatsapp 076-892-5115.
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