A new saving grace for Knysna

KNYSNA NEWS - A new addition to the Knysna healthcare infrastructure is set to change the lives of countless prospective mothers and children.

On 30 September the Mercy Haven Baby Saver was officially unveiled at Knysna Hope in Queen Street as the Garden Route's first-ever baby saver, providing a viable option for prospective mothers in crisis.

Baby savers started out in July 1999 when Door of Hope Children's mission founder, Pastor Cheryl Allen, installed the first modern-day baby box (saver) at their premises in Berea, Johannesburg.

A lady from Germany who saw the baby box during a visit, subsequently installed one in Hamburg in April 2000. After Germany began installing baby boxes, they had visitors from Japan and Switzerland who then took the concept back to their countries.

Poland went to visit Switzerland in 2006, which resulted in them installing 60baby savers in honour of Pope John Paul II – a great "life defender".

Thus the baby saver idea snowballed in the best way possible, spreading to just about every corner of the globe. It was in 2020 that Knysna locals JD and Leah Highfill visited the original Door of Hope Baby Saver in Johannesburg.

"This visit prompted me to research whether there was a baby saver in our area along the Garden Route. My discovery that there was not one, sparked a dream to install one locally," said Leah.

The project has become a large part of Leah's life.

"It has a big part of my heart and passion. Once I became aware that thousands of babies are abandoned in South Africa every year and that two thirds of them die due to unsafe abandonment, I wanted to be part of a solution that encourages safe relinquishment instead of unsafe abandonment," she explained.

"If we can save just one life through Mercy Haven, the baby saver will have accomplished its purpose. We consider the use of a baby saver to be a last resort for a mother; but we are so grateful that the Knysna community now has another viable option for moms in crisis."

What is a baby saver?

A baby saver is a box in which a baby can be relinquished instead of being abandoned. The door of the box can only be opened from the outside, and has a pressure switch that locks the door when a baby is placed inside.

This ensures the baby cannot be taken out once the door has been closed, unless opened from the inside.

The saver is kitted out with blankets to ensure the baby is kept warm. It is fitted with a silent alarm system courtesy of Allsound Security that notifies the staff at Mercy Haven as well as other agencies that a baby has been placed in the saver.

They then respond to the scene within minutes to tend to the baby, while the mother has the chance to leave the scene and remain anonymous. From there the baby is cared for by emergency personnel and is taken to a hospital if needed.

The baby is then handed over to Child Welfare Knysna, who will handle the statutory paperwork.

The Mercy Haven Baby Saver at Knysna Hope is only meant to serve as a stepping stone to the proper authorities and all staff have received CPR/first-aid training from ER24, who will also respond when a baby is placed in the saver.

It is a means to ensure that fewer babies are abandoned by the roadside, or in a dustbin, or any place where they cannot receive proper care.