Impilo Child Protection and Adoption Service is raising awareness of abandoned children in South Africa.
Impilo launched its awareness campaign, Born to Make a Difference, on June 13, four days after Child Protection Week.
Also read: Youth desk assists in protecting children
The Department of Social Development urged South Africans from all walks of life to participate and take action in protecting children within their families and communities. The campaign aims to encourage the community to help abandoned children reach their full potential. According to Child Welfare SA, 3 500 babies are abandoned in SA every year. As part of creating awareness, campaign organisers set up a display of 3 500 babygrows at its launch. These represent each of the children abandoned in South Africa every year. This number only included survivors. Janice Lurie, who is part of the team that developed the campaign, said they wanted to get people involved without an exchange of money, but still be able to provide for the needs of children. “We followed the successful idea of TheStreetStore concept. This idea is premises free, rent free, but rather free pop-up stores that aim at giving dignity to the homeless,” said Lurie.
Also read: Edenvale Youth Desk to march for no violence against women and children
People can get involved by visiting the Impilo website; go to the Born to Make a Difference campaign and download the information on how to run a pop-up store. Supporters of the campaign will have to collect donations of baby necessities and from those donations run their free pop-up store. “This campaign encourages everyone to be involved. You can collect baby clothes, food, nappies and other goods a child would need to grow healthy and strong. “You then use these donations to open a store in your community and where there is a need. People can then visit your store and shop for the goods they need for their children for free,” said Lurie. Director and founder of Impilo, Sue Krawitz, said Impilo is at the forefront of efforts to address the social crisis and this campaign is part of that. “We are embarking on this campaign to create awareness, increase support and build a dynamic network that will assist these children with the opportunity for a full and productive life. We want to bring the spirit of ubuntu, because it takes a village to raise a child,” said Krawitz. She urged and encouraged people to get involved in the campaign. “We are appealing to individuals and companies to donate their time or money to aid our campaign,” said Krawitz. Impilo plans to continue with the campaign during Mandela Day and Month and Women’s Month. For more information on how to get involved, contact Leeat Edinburg on 011 640 1343 or socialworker5@impilo.org.za or visit the website at www.impilo.org.za In an effort to prevent more cases of child abandonment, the campaign reminded the public of the following places that care for abandoned babies: • Johannesburg Children’s Home at 59 Urania Street in Observatory, 011 023 6870 • Door of Hope at 15 Barbara Avenue in Glenvista, 011 432 2797 • Oasis Haven of Love Foundation at 54 Winston Avenue, Robin Hills, in Randburg, 011 678 8057. For more news and interesting articles, like Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS on Facebook or follow us on Twitter
