Rays of Hope addresses gender-based violence in Alex
NPO Rays of Hope is determined to root out the scourge of gender-based violence in Alex.
Rays of Hope, a non-profit organisation with a vast network of projects in Alexandra, has expressed its determination to address the social scourge of gender-based violence plaguing the township.
To this end, the organisation has opened a counselling centre for victims of gender-based violence and has appealed for donations to help equip the centre and ensure it provides the best possible service.
As a hands-on organisation when it came to providing community support and the tools needed to overcome adversity, Rays of Hope CEO Sihle Mooi said the organisation was well placed to also tackle the latest ‘pandemic’ afflicting the fibre of society in the township.
He added that the lockdown period, while necessary for preventing the spread of the coronavirus in SA, had limited the organisation’s reach with its much-needed support programmes, staff and volunteers.
“We are determined to use our vast network of projects in Alexandra to tackle the latest challenge in the form of gender-based violence and femicide,” he said.
“As families are forced to remain at home under the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, many women and girls are essentially trapped with their abusers.
“We want them to know that they are not alone, which is why we have set up a counselling centre in Alex where they can go to get the help they need. Trained staff will assist with everything from accompanying them to report the incident to providing counselling for rape and abuse victims as well as their families.”
To help its social workers and volunteers provide women and children in Alex with the care and support they need, the organisation has called for donations of airtime to enable social workers to be able to respond to texts and make phone calls to co-ordinate crucial support services.
The organisation has also appealed for second-hand laptops and data vouchers to help social workers to do their jobs more effectively. “We also call on volunteers to freely give of their time and talents especially in the fields of content creators, designers, photographers or social media gurus. We could really use your help to create much-needed awareness.”
Details: email Bertha Muchadeyi at bertha@raysofhope.co.za
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