Abandoned at birth, by her substance abusive mother , Faith Feona Adams, has survived, and  has celebrated her first birthday, in the paediatric ward, of the New Amsterdam Hospital, yesterday.
Referred to as ‘Queenie’, the baby, who was born at the health institution on September 27, 2009,  was left behind after her mother delivered the child, prematurely, and which weighed less than a kilogramme.
Believing the child had a slim chance of survival, the mother, who has three other children, departed after delivery, not looking back, telling relatives that the child had died.
Social Worker Wavney Joseph told this publication that efforts were made to contact the mother who resides at Angoy’s Avenue, a squatting area on the eastern fringes of the New Amsterdam township, but had proved unsuccessful initially. However, after repeated visits, the father was contacted.
The man who has had a few brushes with the law, was invited to get the child registered, in order that she receive a birth certificate; but despite promises to visit the New Amsterdam Hospital, he failed to do so, forcing the health staff to call the baby, ‘Queenie’.
Ms Joseph said the father subsequently came , and did a late registration , but it was not properly done.
It was at that stage that the name Faith Feona Adams was given.
A few weeks later, the mother was contacted , the birth certificate form was given to her, she was advised on the procedure and she gave all assurances of having it completed , but to date has not done so, Joseph lamented.
‘I know she was high when I spoke to her, I do not know if she even remembers my visit’, recounted the Social worker.
Until now, ‘Queenie’, does not have a birth certificate.
However, there was a special party yesterday, organized by the Hospital staff , especially Dr George, who ensured that the ‘birthday girl’ was adorned with a pink dress , with matching shoes, while the attendees were given party hats and were served iced cake with ice cream along with other delicacies.
Fellow patient Joshua Thompson rendered a song, ‘ Thank you lord for your blessing on me’, while the doctors and nurses assigned to the ward expressed good wishes.
Meanwhile Ms Joseph said, although , ‘Queenie’ is on the list for foster care, she will not be released in the near future , as much improvement is needed in her development .