Barnswallows

In 2009 Barnswallows welcomed its first babies, a set of abandoned and FAS damaged twins with significant developmental challenges, in the suburban home of director René Testa. René’s background is in early childcare education and development, helpfully coupled with qualifications in psychology, counseling and nutrition. Since then, the home has had 40 babies come through its doors, where they have received love and affection, as well as exceptional professional care from different health care experts. The home focuses on special needs babies, and while in many state institutions these babies are neglected and functionally left for dead due to their greater neediness, René and her team do their utmost to reverse dire prognoses and place babies in loving families, with outstanding results. Barnswallows is setting a new standard for the care of abandoned and vulnerable children. Barnswallows is unique in its vision and method, and its results demonstrate the shelter’s great value to the nation of South Africa and its orphans.