Agape-house is the second oldest “Babyklappe” (“Babyklappe” is Agape-House’s name for “Baby Box”. It is now the general German term for baby box.). The Agape-house was established in Lübeck City in 1995 as an organization to support mothers and children. The trigger to set up a Babyklappe was an abandoned dead baby in Lübeck in 2000. Ms. Friederike Christine Garbe , the founder of the Agape-house, is said to have got the inspiration from a newspaper article on the establishment of a Babyklappe by an organization in Hamburg City.
The Babyklappe in the Agape-house has accepted 20 newborns and two infant brothers since its establishment. These babies are examined medically and then placed in loving adoptive homes as stipulated by German law. The Agape-house believes that the 3 measures, i.e. anonymous birth (Mothers give birth to their babies anonymously and give them straight up to adoption.), confidential birth (Mothers surrender their baby with its personal information in an envelope) and the Babyklappe system help mothers who have difficulties giving birth and raising children.
Also, the Agape-house treats the traumatized babies through speech therapy and baby massages. To help the babies overcome their trauma, Agape-house staff listens to the babies’ voices and tells them what happened and how much they are loved by people around them and stimulate them through the baby massages.
Continuing cases of abandoned babies in trash cans or in garbage disposal sites became a trigger for SterniPark to establish the first baby box in August 2000. Germany has 93 baby boxes at present, and the second baby box was set up in Lübeck by Ms. Friederike Christine Garbe.
Although unconfirmed by the youth welfare office, 20 newborns have been entrusted to the box in Lübeck since August 2000. These babies were placed in adoptive families by the youth welfare office. Currently, a high number of childless families are on the waiting list for adoption.
A rising number of hospitals are adopting “anonymous births”. Furthermore, countless doctors, welfare groups and churches offer information or advice to pregnant women. In addition, the “confidential birth” system was introduced in 2014.
Despite these success stories, German politicians show little understanding of the necessity of baby boxes. Thus, Agape-Haus and other institutions will keep lobbying for the coexistence of anonymous birth, confidential birth, and baby boxes.
| Speaker | ：Friederike Garbe |
|---|---|
| Event | ：THE 14th ASIAN CONGRESS OF HEALTH PROMOTION IN KUMAMOTO, JAPAN |
| Date | ：April 14, 2018 |
