Our Babies
Our very special babies come from all over South Africa and our team personally travels to fetch each child and learn about their routine and care requirements before bringing them back to Ingwavuma. The process of getting the children to our home can be a complicated one, which includes finding these vulnerable babies, often in government hospitals or places of safe care and having them placed into our care with legal court orders. Some of our babies were found dumped in bushes, toilets, abandoned in hospitals or left to starve at home. Apart from their chronic special medical needs, most have endured severe neglect, starvation and abuse.
Our Babies
Our very special babies come from all over South Africa and our team personally travels to fetch each child and learn about their routine and care requirements before bringing them back to Ingwavuma. The process of getting the children to our home can be a complicated one, which includes finding these vulnerable babies, often in government hospitals or places of safe care and having them placed into our care with legal court orders. Some of our babies were found dumped in bushes, toilets, abandoned in hospitals or left to starve at home. Apart from their chronic special medical needs, most have endured severe neglect, starvation and abuse.
Meet our Butterflies
Some of our babies will only spend a short time in our Butterfly Home before they pass on, but we take comfort from the fact that they will spend their final days in a place of safety and love. With other babies, the nurturing environment allows them to flourish emotionally and physically and they actually live longer than expected. For those little ones we try to find loving permanent families and work closely with private adoption agencies.
We believe that each of these little lives matter, regardless of how long or short they may be. It's our privilege to love them and care for them.
Here are some of our current Butterfly Residents, each one with a unique story.
Si
Little Si was our very first baby at Butterfly Home. He was diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18), has many health concerns and faces many challenges every day. But overall little Si is a happy and goofy little guy, who recently celebrated his third birthday at Butterfly Home. Si’s journey is proof that God truly places the lonely into families and that He can turn any hardship into a story of hope.
Yazzie
Yazzie is a bubbly 1-year-old with a very friendly and joyful personality. Yazzie came to us as a tiny, very poorly 4-month-old little girl, who was in acute heart-failure. Since the she has developed so much and is able to walk and talks non-stop. Her heart-failure is being managed well and she loves playing with her Butterfly friends every day and learning about the world around her.
Sunny
Sunny is exactly what her name says - sunshine! She is a very happy and inquisitive 5-year-old girl with Down Syndrome. Apart from Down Syndrome, Sunny is also in heart failure. In spite of this she doesn't let anything stand between her and having a good time! Sunny loves singing and dancing and is also a very good mommy to her doll babies whom she lovingly feeds, changes and dresses every day.
Smangi
Smangi was his mother’s twelfth baby and was diagnosed with a condition called Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain). Smangi was abandoned at hospital and moved around between care positions until finally finding his forever family at Butterfly Home. Because of his condition, Smangi is also blind but makes up for it with exceptional hearing. His nickname is “Pastor” since he is such a well-behaved gentleman.
