Abandoned, neglected and abused babies are still scarred years after their trauma.
Janine Fabe, founder and co-director of Hannah’s Place of Safety in Westridge, said this was the case in most of the more than 30 children, aged between birth and six, who have passed through her home.
Later this month Mitchell’s Plain students of the Modelling Studio will be hosting a pageant show in honour of the safe house, where children can stay for four months at the most.
One of the competitions in the pageant include the contestants bringing the most toiletries and clothing for the place of safety.
Ms Fabe, who is in the process of fostering a three-year-old boy, said he still wakes up screaming with night sweats after nightmares of the abuse he endured.
Introducing each of the six babies, who are also in her care and are all younger than a year, she tells the Plainsman of how they were found and what physical health conditions they suffer.
“They come here with dirty nappies, drug withdrawal symptoms, diseases and illness,” she said.
Ms Fabe said many of the children who were dropped off or who she had to fetch from hospital only had the clothes on their backs.
All the children who have been to stay with her have had parents on drugs.
The place of safety is named after Hannah Fabe, 11, who Ms Fabe met at Christine Revell Children’s Home in Athlone, where she volunteered.
The little girl did not have a name a week after her arrival.
Ms Fabe recalled washing the baby three times because each time she was fed, she threw up with acid reflux.
“I always use to call her Hannah,” she said.
Ms Fabe said Hannah was allowed to come stay with her for a day, then a weekend and she could not return her afterwards.
The Fabe family went on a drive to locate Hannah’s family and records but she was found under a bridge, with just her clinic card in 2007.
“The details of her mother were all false,” she said.
Ms Fabe welcomed volunteers to visit and spend time with the children.
“It is also good for young people to come and see what a responsibility it is to look after a child,” she said.
“These children are special. They need lots of love and attention,” she said.
Chloe Adonis, 14, from Lentegeur, Miss Goddess of the World 2018, said it was rewarding to see the children benefit from their work.
Aliyah Toyer, 13, from Lentegeur, a Princess with a Purpose finalist, said it was important to see first hand what help the place of safety needed.
“They need a lot of help,” she said.
The place of safety has been the girls chosen charity for two years now.
The modelling students will host the pageant at Lentegeur High School on Saturday December 15, at 4pm. Entries cost R30 for adults and R15 for children, aged between 6 and 11. Pageant entrants pay R100 and R50 for the photogenic leg of the competition.
Funds raised are for Hannah’s Place of Safety and four of the modelling school’s girls who will be going to Klerksdorp for modelling competition next year.
For details call Moezena Toyer on 076 955 8715 or Amina Haron on 078 640 1905.