Our hearts always break whenever we hear about abandoned babies, but this time we felt just a tinge of hope. In a viral Facebook post, Jesica Tan Verano – a staff member of Jollibee in the Philippines – shared how she and her fellow staff cared for an abandoned baby.
Jollibee Baby Found in an Empty Lot
Now dubbed the Jollibee baby, a traffic enforcer found the little one in an abandoned lot beside one of Jollibee’s Imus, Cavite branches.
Because of this, the fast food crew named the baby “Hope,” because he was found near Barangay Pag-asa, which is the Filipino word for hope.
“Whoever left this baby near the Jollibee branch in Imus Pag-asa, only God can judge you now,” Verano wrote (in Tagalog) in the caption of the post, which has been shared over 42,000 times and counting.
Screenshot: Jesica Tan Verano Facebook page
“We felt so sorry for the baby. Our hearts broke,” said Jesica in an interview with theAsianparent.
“When the rescue team came to pick the baby up, almost every one of us were crying because we felt so sorry for the little one. Even our managers were tearing up because of what happened to the baby.
“I’m so thankful that I’m still a breastfeeding mum even though my youngest is already a year and six months old, at least I got to share my milk,”
wrote fast food crew Aganinta Jhelly, who shared how she knew the little one was a newborn and needed milk immediately.
Images from: Aganinta Jelly and Jesica Verano Facebook page
The Jollibee baby’s story truly gives us hope that there are kind strangers all around us, willing to care for little ones who are not their own. We pray that baby Hope finds a loving home soon.
What Should You Do if You Found an Abandoned Newborn?
1. Keep them cool or warm
First, make sure they’re comfortable. Who knows how long they’ve been in the cold or heat? So depending on the climate, either bundle them up or bring them into the shade. You can also breastfeed them if you can, especially if they’re just a newborn.
2. Make sure they have no serious injuries
Before moving them, make sure that they have suffered no injuries. If, for instance, they have a neck injury, then chances are you shouldn’t move them so as not to risk further damage. Signs of this type of injury are bruising or swelling in the neck or crying uncontrollably when moved.
3. Bring them to the nearest clinic or hospital
Once you’re sure that they’re safe to move, rush them to the nearest clinic for medical attention.
4. Call the authorities
After you have tended to the baby’s health, report what happened to the authorities.
ALSO READ: Stray dog saves the life of abandoned newborn in Cebu
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Philippines
