Cradle of Love Baby Home

One of our 3 month old babies, Tom, was ill over the weekend but thankfully is now getting better. On Saturday he was showing the same symptoms as Lucas so we took him straight to to the hospital in Arusha. Even though there were 79 people in the line in front of us one of the doctors saw us within 15 minutes (as an emergency) because Tom is so young. He came home with us and, after 48 hours on medication, he’s doing really well. The weather continues to be very hot for this time of year so we set  [ Read More ]

Happily this week we have no babies in hospital and no sick babies other than one or two babies with snuffly noses (which is a regular occurrence where there are lots of babies together!). Lucas continues to get stronger and happier every day and is being nursed in our Isolation Medical Room. He went for a check-up at the hospital on Thursday and the paediatricians are pleased with him as his chest is clear. He will probably return to the nursery with the other young babies on Monday. So with no new babies and no hospital and doctor visits (other  [ Read More ]

We have had many sick babies this past week, mostly with chest infections, and we’ve been making daily trips to the doctor or the hospital. The doctors have said there is a viral infection in this area which is badly affecting the children’s chests. Some of our babies have been admitted to hospital and it’s been challenging to find enough volunteers and nannies to be ‘mother’ to them while in care. In African hospitals there are not enough nurses so a mother will stay with her baby and nurse, give medication etc to him/her for the entire hospital stay. Lucas,  [ Read More ]

Hi! My name is Susan and I’ll be working at the Cradle of Love for at least 4 months. I hope to have the time (and the internet connection available!) to write a weekly update of CoL news. I worked here at Cradle of Love last year and have done volunteer work in Africa for the past 7 years, caring for babies in South Africa and working with doctors in the eastern provinces of the DR Congo. We’re very busy at the moment, there are 10 babies in the Nursery and 37 babies in the Big House. On my first  [ Read More ]

I hope you enjoy this video of the Cradle of Love Baby Home Christmas party. All of the nannies sang with joy at the celebration.

Christmas is Coming The Children are Healthy and Fat!!! Sadly the above isn’t true for one of our nursery babies Lucas, he has been sick in Selian, at first doctors diagnosed a heart murmur and with his choking episodes where he couldn’t catch his breath for about 45 minutes we were sure his heart was failing and he wouldn’t make it. HOWEVER the fantastic news is that once he was seen by an American doctor in Selian he said it is NOT his heart but his chest. Lucas was abandoned and they believe that when he was left in the  [ Read More ]

Sorry For The Long Delay!! Sorry for the silence, I haven’t had internet connection at home recently and have been too busy in work to get online. The latest news is that we have three new babies 1. Noel, DOB unknown, abandoned, has downs syndrome!   Noel is a very lovely little boy who can bend his legs in ways that make me feel queasy!! He seems very contented in his new environment. It is clear he came from a very poor family as he was just wearing rags, I believe his mother realised something was wrong with Noel and  [ Read More ]

Just heard from Claire that we got two baby boys today from Mt. Meru Hospital. One is two months and one is two days. And get this–they have named them Tom and Jerry! For those who are not American, they are cartoon characters–a cat and mouse! Very funny to me. Toddler Nancy has gone to live with claire, with her familys’ permission.  Claire would like to adopt her as well as Selemani. So, now, with the two new babies, we are at 49 in care. The nursery is FULL with 12 littles ones. How I wish I were there!

My son told me that when he went to the bank today, there was a lot more money than before! Thanks to God and to all of you who donated. I would like to know if you wired money to our account this month so I can thank you personally. Please drop me a note at  director@cradleoflove.com Many Blessings to you all for your loving support of the Home, in any way that you show it!

Dear Friends of Cradle of Love!  We are down to our last 5,000 dollars. After December payroll, there will be nothing. In addition, our lawyer who is fighting for us to retain this very needed ministry for the babies, needs 4,000 dollars. He has filed a court injunction, to keep the people who want to take over Cradles buildings, from doing this for one year. This is to give us time to come to a satisfactory agreement on the future of Cradle of Love. If you believe in this ministry and care about the babies and staff at Cradle, please  [ Read More ]