We are really pleased to say that due to a very generous donation, we are now able to open and run the baby home for the first year - but funding is an ongoing need, and donations are always very gratefully received.
We know that orphanages are not the ideal way to bring up a child. Through our outreach, we aim to keep orphaned infants and toddlers with their extended families and out of orphanages, including ours.
Unfortunately, there are times when babies are abandoned, or there is no extended family willing to take an orphaned child in, even if they are given help. We are preparing a place where these children can come to live.
We have been asked by Social Services to provide a home for children under age 3, because that is where the greatest need is. HIV/AIDS can take its toll on a pregnant woman’s body fast, and maternal morbidity is relatively high here. An aging grandmother, or a working aunt cannot take care of an infant who has constant needs.
A three year old however, can sometimes be cared for by older siblings and other relatives. It is our hope that children can return to extended families when they are three years old. If the child has extended family living, we will work with them so that they maintain a relationship to the child.
We will promote reunification if possible. The next approach is adoption. Although it is illegal to “advertise” children eligible for adoption, we will work to encourage the idea of adoption among Tanzanian and expatriate families. If no home is found for a child by age three, we will work to ensure that they find their way to a quality orphanage for older children.
Every child will leave our care with a book containing pictures of them, what we know of their history, and a few stories about their early development. We want them to know that they were loved and cared for.
The childhood years of 0-3 are the most critical for cognitive, emotional, social and physical development, yet often the most overlooked in terms of policy, and financing. At no other time in a person’s life is brain development so malleable or one’s rights more vulnerable.
* The Baobab Home recognizes this and will strive to set a new standard in orphan care. Too many orphanages in sub Saharan Africa do not have the resources to do much more than give the bare minimum to children. We will keep our size in proportion to our resources so that children receive high quality care.
