Face of Flanders — Michael De Kleine
In the normal way of things, they're delivered by storks who deposit them under a gooseberry bush. Not in Burgerhout in Antwerp. There, the arrival of a new baby is signalled by an alarm from the vondelingenschuif (foundling slide) that's been installed in the offices of the charity Moeders voor Moeders (Mothers for Mothers) since 2000.
The slide contains a warmed bed for the little one, and an envelope containing a letter explaining what's going to happen to the baby, and a piece of a jigsaw puzzle which, if the mother should decide to come forward, will show that she is the real parent.
It happened that way two weekends ago, but for only the second time in nine years it was no false alarm. The foundling slide was occupied, the MvM member on standby found, by a male baby only days old. He was immediately handed over to the city's Public Committee for Social Assistance (OCMW). Given the name Michael (all foundlings in Antwerp are called De Kleine, which means "the little one") he will kept in care for four to six weeks, then be placed with a foster family with a view to eventual adoption if the parent(s) do not come forward to reclaim him.
The foundling slide caused controversy when it was first introduced, with critics - including adoption services and the then-mayor Leona Detiège -- claiming it would encourage abuse and "send the wrong message". MvM took the pragmatic view: "It may not be ideal, but better a child in the slide than in a rubbish bin or on the street." a spokesperson said.
Michael is the second baby left in Borgerhout, following Thomas De Kleine in November 2007. Since 2004, other babies have been left as foundlings in Merksem, and on the platform of Essen station.
Moeders voor Moeders: 0478 813 129. All calls in confidence.
