Baby Haven started in 2003 after a series of articles were published in the Johannesburg newspapers highlighting the large numbers of babies that had been abandoned in local hospitals. Many mothers who went to hospital to give birth learned of their HIV+ status and simply left the hospital without their baby. Other babies were found abandoned in rubbish bins, in fields and public places, and taken to hospital.

Poverty and hopelessness combined to destroy many mother/child relationships. His People Johannesburg Pastors David and Caroline Webb responded by opening Baby Haven.