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So, too, do stories of rescued and placed babies, such as Baby N. In March 2002, a passerby noticed a parcel on a roadside wrapped in colorful cloth, which turned out to be an abandoned baby. Police took the baby to a short-term care facility. The staff estimated that the baby was two months old. When the search for the mother reached a dead end, they moved the baby to iThemba Lethu's home. Loving care and a breast milk diet revived the baby.

One family visited iThemba Lethu and fell in love with the baby. The ministry screened the family and helped with all the paperwork required for adoption. Before long, Baby N, once abandoned on a Durban street, was moved into a loving home. More than two years later, iThemba Lethu staff still check on Baby N, and both the child and the adoptive parents are happy.

With South Africa's 5 million HIV cases, some wonder if taking only six babies at a time is too little. Coutsoudis says, "I do not want to create an orphanage where babies are just numbers." Instead, she strives to create a true home for babies and works hard on integrating them into families. Her hope is to see other churches establish similar homes, where quality care is given to a manageable number of babies.

Each small success, she believes, is worth the effort.

Isaac Phiri is a journalist living in Lusaka, Zambia.

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Christianity Today's special section on AIDS/HIV is available on our site.

iThemba Lethu's official site has information on how to get involved as well as links to media coverage of the organization.

Other articles by Isaac Phiri for Christianity Today include:

Hope in the Heart of Darkness | With 3.9 million dead and 40,000 raped, Christians work for renewal and healing in Congo's killing fields. (July 1, 2006)

From Rape to Rebuilding | Women persevere in the Congo despite daunting obstacles. (July 1, 2006)

Born Again and Again | 'Jesus gives us strength,' says a Congolese pastor. (July 1, 2006)

Zimbabwe Nightmare | Christians try to negotiate ministry in southern Africa's most failed state. (April 1, 2006)

Sweeter Dreams | HIV infections decline in Zimbabwe. (April 1, 2006)

Zambia: President Disillusions Christians (March 2, 1998)

His work was also the subject of an Inside CT column.

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December 2006, Vol. 50, No. 12