Charmaine Keevy found Grace four years ago, abandoned in a drain; today, Grace is a happy little girl that brings light and love to her adoptive family.
Gqeberha, South Africa (08 February 2022) – Charmaine Keevy became a hero the moment she and her dog Georgie came to the rescue of an abandoned baby in 2018. Now, years later, we get to learn a little more about the miracle baby they saved.
Charmaine Keevy and Georgie were walking near a storm drain when Georgie began barking at it. Charmaine thought she could hear a cat meowing, so she got down on her knees to get a better look. She was completely shocked to see a tiny baby lying inside.
Immediately, she tried to flag down a passing car for help. Cornie Viljoen stopped to see what was wrong, and he too was shocked by what he was seeing.
Together they used a steel bar to pry open the storm drain, and Cornie climbed down to retrieve the baby. She was rushed to hospital, umbilical cord still attached and made a miraculous recovery. She was named Grace April and sent to a children’s home where she was eventually adopted.
Grace is now 4-years-old and the light of her family. Baby Saver South Africa the update to shared her story recently, and we were so excited to hear about it.
“Almost four years later, and Grace, now a bubbly happy toddler who loves to sing and dance and is looking forward to starting nursery school, has a loving adoptive family and considers Charmaine to be an honorary granny.
Her birth family and the person who placed her inside the stormwater drain were never found.”
Baby Saver SA is working to legalise the safe relinquishment of babies through their Ke Nako campaign, which is dedicated to a baby named Ezra.
Baby Ezra’s story is a devastating one. He was found abandoned during the hard lockdown, found by some homeless men looking for shelter from the cold. They flagged down a passing officer, and baby Ezra was rushed to hospital.
Related Story
After being treated, baby Ezra went to a baby home but sadly, he passed away from complications with his breathing. The news was devastating for the Baby Saver SA team. Had he been dropped off at the nearby baby safe, just 3km away, he would be here today.
This is why the team is raising awareness for their baby safes. You can help them by signing the petition here.
We hope to share more about this incredible organisation over the coming year so stay tuned! You can find out more via their Facebook page here.
by 