Abandoned baby highlights need for support structures
The newborn, found near a river bank in Mzingazi last week by a passerby, is in good health and cared for at a place of safety
THE discovery of an abandoned baby in Mzingazi last week has highlighted the need for a help centre for women and children, a project that community volunteer Sharon Mdletshe is currently developing.
The newborn, found near a river bank in Mzingazi last week by a passerby, is in good health and cared for at a place of safety.
First responder at the scene was Mzingazi community policing forum chairperson Sharon Mdletshe, who rushed the infant to the Mbonambi community clinic for medical attention.
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Mdletshe is currently building a centre to accommodate abused women and children and was heartbroken that the beautiful baby girl was left out in the cold and near the water.
‘With few people walking around because of the countrywide lockdown, the infant would have died being exposed to the elements had it not been for the chance presence of the passerby.
‘It is incidents like these – where women do not know where to turn to and resort to dumping their babies – that we want to prevent.
‘We want to step in as a centre and offer support and help direct them to make the right choices.
‘We want to give hope and encourage women in distress to come forward and ask for assistance. Counselling services can be arranged and we can direct mothers to organisations for further help.
‘There is no reason for children to be abandoned when there are avenues that can be explored to ensure the child is taken in by a loving and caring family,’ said Mdletshe
If anyone has information pertaining to the incident, they can contact Sgt M Mthembu on 082 5570036.
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