The aim of Shepherd's Keep is threefold,

• to provide loving, excellent care for abandoned babies and to work with social workers to find parents for all babies.
• to comfort and care for terminally ill babies and provide hospice care.
• to train caregivers from poverty stricken areas and impact HIV infection rate with education and counselling through our Hands of Mercy ministry.

Shepherd's Keep Background:

We relocated to our present premises after operating for 2.5 years and finding the organization had outgrown the buildings.

As a 24 hour facility for babies from birth to six months old, the name of Shepherd's Keep has become synonymous with excellence through hard work and dedication, and is favoured by most officials when seeking shelter for abandoned babies.

"With hindsight, we realise that by overcoming our cowardice and visiting the home, we are richer for the experience.

Nothing could prepare us for the warmth and love that radiates there."

3 babies are abandoned every 48 hours in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

In 2001, 874 babies were abandoned—that figure trebled in 2002 when 2186 babies were abandoned in KZN.

2003 had 2000 abandoned babies per month go through the welfare society of Durban.

Most babies are abandoned in municipal toilets, latrines and refuse bags.

This is mainly due to AIDS, poverty, unemployment.

34% of the KZN population is infected with AIDS. KZN have the most welfare agencies in the country and yet cannot cope. Most of these babies die, as a place of safety cannot be found in time to save them.

The situation is so critical that the newspapers have likened the dustbins in Durban to the GRAVEYARDS OF NEWBORN BABIES AND FOETUSES

The only folk willing to help are too poor to look after any added family and the government grants of R140-00 per month can be applied for, but take many many months to access.

Carte Blanche 6th July 2003
www.carteblanche.co.za

WHAT SHEPHERD'S KEEP IS DOING

Plans have been approved to provide a home for 60 babies.

And building work is now commencing!

While Shepherd's Keep does have pledges for some of the materials, funds are needed to finish the building and to provide for all the babies accessories. More...