Strong support for Walvis miracle baby

IT was a month ago that baby Nelao was saved from a horrible death after her mother buried her under dune sand at Walvis Bay.

To celebrate her miraculous recovery, the Walvis Bay Police, with the assistance of the business community, spoilt her with some presents. Detective Sergeant Job Kauvi, who dug the newborn baby girl from the sand and rushed her to hospital, told The Namibian that he felt like Nelao’s “second father” and wanted to celebrate her birthday.He says she’s now a healthy and happy baby, being cared for by her aunt.”We decided to call her Nelao because she was very lucky, and that is what lucky is in Oshiwambo: Nelao,” he said.With the generous help of several businesses at the harbour town, Kauvi collected donations consisting of nappies, wet wipes, milk formula, bottles, dummies and a host of other baby necessities.Kauvi – who has seven children of his own – said he considered Nelao his eighth child and would be there for her whenever she needed a father.Social workers advised that baby Nelao be taken away from her 22-year-old mother and be put in the care of Negumbo’s sister, Solastika Pontu.The young woman was arrested on September 14 on charges of attempted murder and concealment of birth, and appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court where she was released on bail of N$2 000.Her case was postponed until November 19.She allegedly left her home on the outskirts of Walvis Bay to go and give birth in the dunes.She allegedly buried the newborn in the sand.A passer-by heard the baby’s cries from under the sand, and immediately called the Police.Sergeant Kauvi, the first officer on the scene, dug Nelao out with his hands, wrapped her in his shirt and rushed her to hospital, where she recovered from her ordeal.Detective Sergeant Job Kauvi, who dug the newborn baby girl from the sand and rushed her to hospital, told The Namibian that he felt like Nelao’s “second father” and wanted to celebrate her birthday.He says she’s now a healthy and happy baby, being cared for by her aunt.”We decided to call her Nelao because she was very lucky, and that is what lucky is in Oshiwambo: Nelao,” he said.With the generous help of several businesses at the harbour town, Kauvi collected donations consisting of nappies, wet wipes, milk formula, bottles, dummies and a host of other baby necessities.Kauvi – who has seven children of his own – said he considered Nelao his eighth child and would be there for her whenever she needed a father.Social workers advised that baby Nelao be taken away from her 22-year-old mother and be put in the care of Negumbo’s sister, Solastika Pontu.The young woman was arrested on September 14 on charges of attempted murder and concealment of birth, and appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court where she was released on bail of N$2 000.Her case was postponed until November 19.She allegedly left her home on the outskirts of Walvis Bay to go and give birth in the dunes.She allegedly buried the newborn in the sand.A passer-by heard the baby’s cries from under the sand, and immediately called the Police.Sergeant Kauvi, the first officer on the scene, dug Nelao out with his hands, wrapped her in his shirt and rushed her to hospital, where she recovered from her ordeal.