Baby’s family found

Little girl born on the street has captured many hearts, writes Estelle Ellis

SHE might have been born on the street and abandoned by her mother, but she stole the hearts of scores of Nelson Mandela Bay residents, who not only helped trace her family but also donated clothes, nappies, blankets and toiletries.

And now the family of an abandoned baby girl has come forward to take care of her. Dora Nginza Hospital social worker Pamela Rubushe said she had received a phone call from the baby’s uncle, Faeez Bardien, at 10.20am yesterday.

“He said he was phoned by a person in Uitenhage and told to phone me. I could not believe it. He was shocked to hear what had happened to his niece and that his sister Junaid, also known as Junaina, had been arrested,” Rubushe said.

“He said he lived and worked in Northwest Province, but he was committed to helping the baby. “This is a decent family who care for their sister and the baby,” Rubushe said.

“They will be driving down next week to come and meet her. I just said: ‘God is good. God is love.’ “I am so incredibly happy that she won’t have to go to a home, but that her family will take care of her.”

Rubushe said Junaid, 19, would meanwhile be taken to a place of safety, where she would receive help. “She apparently has been addicted to drugs for some years and has three other children,” Rubushe said.

Bardien was arrested by police officers from the Kwazakhele police station on Thursday while buying beer in a bar in Central. Meanwhile readers in Nelson Mandela Bay have opened their hearts to the little girl, with several offering to adopt her.

The Herald Citizen of the Year finalist Molly Bam, who runs Jehovah Jireh home in Alexandria for vulnerable children, offered to take her in. A group of moms has donated bags of clothes, towels, blankets, toys and toiletries for the little girl, who is still at Dora Nginza Hospital.

Kelly Goss, whose little girl Kayley Grace was born prematurely, weighing only 1.6kg, said it was the least they could do.

“There are lots of other moms who are also busy putting things together for her. These are just the things we wanted to get to her as soon as we could,” Goss said.

Lindsay Ziehl, of Yokhusela Haven, a place of safety for abused women and children, also put together some things for the baby. Several other readers also phoned to offer financial assistance and to buy clothes and blankets for the baby.