August 2014 saw the launch of the Helderberg Baby Saver – an initiative by Sandy Immelman in response to an abandoned newborn, Baby Amber as she was called, being found earlier that year next to a river, in the hopes of preventing other babies being unsafely abandoned.
This month they celebrate a decade and the saving of 13 little lives through this Baby Saver.
The Helderberg Baby Saver (HBS) can be found in a wall of the Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centre, in Schapenberg Road, Somerset West.
It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is safe to use.
If a parent finds themselves in such desperate circumstances that they are considering dumping their baby – then this is a safe alternative.
One simply opens the door, places baby inside, closes the door and leaves. The door will lock automatically and send a panic signal to Secure Rite Security who monitor the Saver and they then dispatch security officers, an ambulance and one or more of the HBS responder team.
Babies coming through the Saver are checked by the paramedics then transported by ambulance to Helderberg Hospital for observation, whereafter a Child Protection Organisation gets legal permission to place them in temporary safe care for a prescribed period (while adverts are placed in order for parents to come forward), whereafter they are placed for adoption.
The HBS responder team comprises Amanda-Lea Jones, Grant Immelman, Karen Bufé, Léanne Keet, Monique Tarling, Sophia Warner and Sandy Immelman.
“I am eternally grateful for this amazing team – ready to respond immediately at any time of the day or night for the last ten years!” said Ms Immelman.
“Also for the voluntary services provided all these years by Secure Rite Security and GBMed teams, and to Choices for housing the Saver, making it possible for us to provide a safe relinquishment option in the Helderberg Basin.
“Our thanks too to Wandisa Child Protection and Adoption Agency who have been wonderful over the years with their support and guidance and facilitating the safe placement of babies who have been relinquished through our Saver.”
The first baby safely relinquished was Baby Ayabonga in October 2015 and the most recent – lucky number 13 – was Baby Bella in December 2023. Seven of the babies are girls and six of them boys – all under the age of three months, and three of whom were newborn (with cord attached).
HBS is a member of Baby Savers South Africa (BSSA) and Ms Immelman is on their board. BSSA is a national coalition of organisations, NPOs and PBOs that provide a safe alternative to unsafe baby abandonment through the use of a Baby Saver and BSSA operates throughout South Africa.
HBS are also grateful to partner with Khethani Women’s Wellness – a local NPO providing support for women and girls through workshops, information sharing and a 24-hour helpline.
BSSA and HBS believe a child’s right to life is of paramount importance in every matter.
A Baby Saver does not encourage abandonment, but rather offers a safe alternative to abandonment and should only be used as a last resort.
Unsafe abandonment should never be an option as two out of every three babies found unsafely abandoned in this county are deceased, and the one-third that survive are often severely compromised, having suffered exposure to the elements, etc.
“It is clear from the number of babies being abandoned in South Africa that the need for Savers is escalating and we encourage everyone to join in with Baby Savers South Africa in the fight to have a safe haven law established in this country in order to save these little lives,” says Ms Immelman.
“We celebrate the lives of the 13 children that have been safely relinquished through our Saver and wish to thank the brave mothers who chose life and a future for these babies. Please reach out to organisations like Khethani if you are experiencing a crisis pregnancy and get the help you need as early as possible.”
For more information visit babysaver.co.za, babysaverssa.co.za and khethani.org
