No child deserves this. At present, millions of kids in South Africa are orphaned, abandoned, or have been removed from dangerous environments, only to get lost and experience further trauma in the child welfare system. While volunteering at a children’s home, Janine Fabe met Hannah, a baby abandoned at two days old. After adopting her and creating the means for Hannah’s dramatic turn in life, Fabe realised that children need more than just a shelter over their head – they need love.
In 2017, she founded Hannah’s Place of Safety, a sanctuary in Mitchells Plain where the court of law or social development can place vulnerable kids. “If no one is there to catch them, they end up on the streets,” Fabe says. “We catch them first.” There are currently six babies under her roof. Together with qualified carers, Fabe cuddles, feeds, nurtures, and sings to them. Her own children, including Hannah who’s now 12 years old, are also involved, playing with the orphans and offering their companionship during after-school visits. “I don’t believe that we should give them anything less because they come from a bad situation,” Fabe says. “We want to ensure that our children get the very best care.”
Fabe is entwined in the entire process, from when children arrive to long after they leave. She conducts follow-ups and establishes a relationship with foster and adoptive parents. “They bring their children back to visit all the time,” Fabe says. “I get to see how beautifully they are developing and how well they are taken care of.” With endless compassion and a commitment to bettering lives, Fabe is ensuring these babies have a safe environment to flourish.
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