Saturday, December 12, 2015

“Baby dumping has become a bad habit”, says the Swazi police.


I know you have a lot to do to prepare for Christmas; shopping, baking, caroling, decorating and visiting with friends and family, so I will make this short (but maybe not sweet).

On Tuesday of this week a 5-month-old baby boy was left in a ditch near flowing water, allegedly by a man and a woman who suspiciously went in to the bush, and then disappeared.  Four hours later a baby was heard crying and the child was found by a man passing by.  The baby was covered with bug bites, but otherwise a perfectly healthy child.  The boy was taken to the hospital for immediate care while police and Social Welfare investigate the case and look diligently for the parents who would do this to their child.


Two days later the same newspaper reported that a 9-month-old baby boy was found on the side of the road by some kombi (taxi) drivers, covered in newspapers, and he too was taken to the hospital for care while investigations take place.

In the Times of Swaziland article Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Khulani Mamba said, “Such incidents have increased and it is shocking and a bad habit.  The police will leave no stone unturned on the issue of baby dumping.  Perpetrators, when found will be dealt with accordingly. We would also like to request members of the public to work hand in hand with the police in finding such culprits.  Such incidents are clear indication that domestic problems are involved and such problems end up affecting these innocent children.”


What else could a newspaper say?  It seems that baby dumping happens with such regularity that maybe there should be a column in the paper for it, like the wedding section or obituaries. That way we could all check it regularly and see if we recognize the face of the abandoned child?  SOMEONE KNOWS those two babies and would recognize their faces.  But then posting that photo might go against the Child Protection Act that is specifically designed to protect the children against harm and perpetrators.  A rock, and a hard place.

Please pray for these two children and so many others that are not found in time. Please pray for the 106 children who have been placed with us at the El Roi baby home through the Social Welfare department of Swaziland.

As I prepare to welcome Spencer home in 7 days and Chloe home in 12 days, I will continue to pray for the mothers of Swaziland. I pray that one day their joy will be restored and that they will find their hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray that they will be able to keep and raise their children so that they will cherish and look forward to Christmas and visits from them, just as I do now with mine.

Live from Swaziland … it is 100F + with no sign of rain. 

Janine

Please consider helping provide for these 106 babies by making a year end giving donation that will be matched up to $100,000 before December 31, 2015.



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