Abandoned babies get love and sustenance from the Salvation Army |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Apr 01 2011 |
Faced by reports of an increase in the number of abandoned babies in Johannesburg, the Salvation Army says it has also seen a slight rise in the number of babies brought to them since the beginning of the year.
Some of these babies have been left in the toilets, rubbish bins, hospitals, taxi ranks and even in the veld. So says Major Marieke Venter, The Salvation Army’s divisional director for women’s ministries, who added that there is a desperate need for these babies to be given care.
Among the number of homes the Salvation Army has dedicated to caring for babies in need, is Ethembeni – Place of Hope in Johannesburg, where babies are cared for and can possibly be adopted by a loving family.
Another Salvation Army home doing this work is Bethesda House in Soweto, a home that was opened in August 1993 for abandoned babies of HIV-positive mothers. At that time, it was the only facility of its kind in Africa.
“In the face of increasing number of abandoned and abused babies, the Salvation Army would like to remind South Africans of the homes it established to shelter these babies when such incidents occur,” says Venter.
“With the help of well trained baby-care workers employed, both these homes have the necessary programmes required to enhance the care received by these neglected babies and making sure that they get the best treatment both physically and emotionally.”
In an effort to improve education and give disadvantaged children the opportunity of a better future, the Army also operates a number of crèches and day care centres across the country as well as provides teaching facilities for the children as opposed to a simply child-minding facility.
In addition, The Salvation Army work includes homes for babies and children with HIV/Aids, pre-schools, shelters for the homeless, emergency services, feeding schemes, centres for abused women and children, homes for abandoned children and community development projects. Those affected by AIDS and their families are offered care and counselling.
Some of these babies have been left in the toilets, rubbish bins, hospitals, taxi ranks and even in the veld. So says Major Marieke Venter, The Salvation Army’s divisional director for women’s ministries, who added that there is a desperate need for these babies to be given care.
Among the number of homes the Salvation Army has dedicated to caring for babies in need, is Ethembeni – Place of Hope in Johannesburg, where babies are cared for and can possibly be adopted by a loving family.
Another Salvation Army home doing this work is Bethesda House in Soweto, a home that was opened in August 1993 for abandoned babies of HIV-positive mothers. At that time, it was the only facility of its kind in Africa.
“In the face of increasing number of abandoned and abused babies, the Salvation Army would like to remind South Africans of the homes it established to shelter these babies when such incidents occur,” says Venter.
“With the help of well trained baby-care workers employed, both these homes have the necessary programmes required to enhance the care received by these neglected babies and making sure that they get the best treatment both physically and emotionally.”
In an effort to improve education and give disadvantaged children the opportunity of a better future, the Army also operates a number of crèches and day care centres across the country as well as provides teaching facilities for the children as opposed to a simply child-minding facility.
In addition, The Salvation Army work includes homes for babies and children with HIV/Aids, pre-schools, shelters for the homeless, emergency services, feeding schemes, centres for abused women and children, homes for abandoned children and community development projects. Those affected by AIDS and their families are offered care and counselling.
Last changed: Mar 31 2011 at 10:18 PM
Back