As you walk in to the St. Andrews Baby Unit in Kandara these days, it’s a very different place compared to a few months ago. Instead of a room full of babies in cots and one or two learning to walk or talk, there are now eight infants in the main room and just three small babies in cots. This also means that the noise levels have increased as the eight scream excitedly and try to say their first words.
The baby unit has proved to be a valuable asset to the local community and has taken in a number of babies who have been orphaned or abandoned in school playgrounds, by the river or in the marketplace. All babies must be registered with the local authorities before being brought to the unit and the proper procedures followed in order to ensure all documentation is up to date and the baby has no relatives able to care for it. Once they reach the unit, no matter what their background is they are guaranteed the shelter and care that they need.
Taking a cup of porridge
Thanks to a Vision Africa supporter, a nurse now pays a weekly visit to the baby unit and checks over each baby. Despite the high levels of care provided, we were saddened to hear the news that a second baby had passed away due to the viral pneumonia that has been sweeping through the local area claiming the lives of a number of small babies. Baby James was rushed to hospital at the first signs of illness and received good medical attention but unfortunately he wasn’t strong enough to survive. He had been living in the unit for nine months and his loss was felt by the staff.
With a number of the babies having been there for several months, it is encouraging to see them develop and take their first steps in the safe environment of the baby unit. The main room has also been given a facelift by volunteers Scott Russell, Jacqueline McLernon and Anne-Marie Allan who painted some characters on the walls during their recent visit to the unit. With eight small children spending their days in this room, it is great to have the brightly coloured characters to stimulate them…when they are not throwing toys at each other or using small chairs to support them as they race around the room.
One thing that has not changed is the hard work of the staff members who care for the babies. With eleven children to feed, change, clothe, bathe and entertain a shift in the baby unit takes a lot of effort. For those readers used to the modern conveniences imagine, if you can, having eleven babies, no disposable nappies (diapers) and no washing machine. All clothes and towelling nappies are washed by hand every day.
The twins
As any parent will testify, babies might be small but they incur large costs. The St. Andrews Baby Unit is partly funded by a sponsorship programme. Donors can sponsor a cot on a monthly basis at £16 or ksh2000 or a one off annual donation. The unit is designed to cater for fifteen babies and when all fifteen cots are sponsored this will bring in approximately half of the anticipated running costs. We are currently looking for sponsors for the remaining cots and monthly contributions of any value towards the deficit. Other ways of supporting the baby unit are to hold a fundraising event or ask for one of our collection boxes for your school, office, shop or home. Supporters in Kenya can also donate in kind as we need a constant supply of nappies, formula, cleaning products and toiletries.
If you would like to learn more about this project or support it, please use our contact form to get in touch. Together we can create brighter futures for these precious babies.
Check out the Gallery for more pictures from the St. Andrews Baby Unit.