Helping to make a world of difference

Felipe arrived at All Nations on the 21st August 2008, at approximately one and a quarter years. He is one of the babies that we know the least about, as he was brought by social welfare, who only told us that he had been abandoned on the street. We do not know why he was abandoned, and he has yet to be tested for HIV. Rika has given him the birthday 21st April 2007.

However, Felipe’s eyes say enough about his past to show it was not a happy one. He appeared to have been neglected before he was abandoned; when he was brought in Pieter and Rika thought he was a very dark baby, but every time he was washed he became lighter in colour. For the first few weeks of his stay at All Nations, he showed no interest in being held or cuddled, and he avoided eye contact with both adults and the other children. He showed no emotion, never laughing or smiling with the other babies. It was heartbreaking to watch.

Having been in the safe, stable environment of the babyhouse since August 08, he is slowly learning to trust the familiar faces of the adults around him, and to form attachments, but it is still rare to see him smile. He will now seek out cuddles and attention, and has started to communicate through making sounds and pointing.

He is a beautiful little boy that we pray will have a great future as he thrives on the trust and love he is now experiencing, rather later than he should have done.