‘Social babies’ find a haven
The eight babies for whom a cot with bars and a hospital room in the Katutura State Hospital were their home and only frame of reference for months, went "home" yesterday.For these babies, it was the first time they were outside the walls of the hospital and saw and felt the sun on their little faces.
Six of the babies, the youngest of which is a month old and also includes nine-month-old twins, were collected together with Ronel Peters from the Ruach Elohim Foundation in Swakopmund and Catrien du Toit, a private social worker from Swakopmund to be showered with love and attention at this haven.
Rosalind Schlabitz from Hope for Life in Windhoek and the organisation's social worker Anel Putenson, welcomed another one of the babies who will now receive the care and nurturing that was withheld from them for months.
Du Toit immediately responded to our sister publication, Republikein's report on the so-called "social babies" who lie in hospital for months without being transferred to homes or for foster care or adoption.
According to the Child Protection Act, a state hospital is considered a safe home for neglected and abused children placed there by the police. However, the babies only have to spend a maximum of 48 hours in the hospital before they have to be discharged. The latter is the duty of the social workers of the ministry in the presidency responsible for gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare who, in the case of the above-mentioned babies, allegedly never responded to the Ministry of Health and Social Services' pleas that they the hospital should not be removed.
Members of the public who want to get involved in whatever way with Hope for Life of Ruach Elohim or consider a safe home or foster care for vulnerable children, can WhatsApp Catrien on 081 449 4227 and leave a message. – [email protected]