Symposium held in celebration of Child Protection Week

In commemoration of National Child Protection Week (May 29 to June), the St Francis Care Centre hosted an informative symposium on June 9.

According to the resident social worker at St Francis and event organiser Cebile Maseko, representatives from organisations such as Hope and Homes for Children, local Tutela, FAMSA Boksburg, Kidz Clinic, Tambo Memorial Hospital and Boksburg Children’s Court attended the symposium.

Maseko described the event as a success.

“Lesego Ntoe from Tutela, Boksburg, highlighted one of the challenges they encounter is finding parents for children in need of care and protection. Their organisation does awareness campaigns in the community to educate community members and also links their clients to food parcels and other resources in the community.
“Josina Makena from Tambo Memorial Hospital stated that they have challenges of pregnant women faced with gender-based violence, moms newly diagnosed with HIV and teenage mothers who did not attend antenatal care.”

Hlekani Mashimbye from Boksburg Children’s Court spoke about the challenges of social workers struggling to find registered Child and Youth Care Centres to place the children.

“Nosihle Mkhize from Kidz Clinic explained they assist in preparing children for court and assess the competence of children as state witnesses. She further stated that one of their challenges is resistance and lack of knowledge among community members, such as parents that withdraw cases that are in criminal court.

“Hope and Homes for Children social worker Ntombikayise Ncube mentioned that one of the services they offer is recruitment and training of temporary safe care parents and post-placement support through community-based organisations. She stated that they do not have statutory powers, hence they support the statutory organisations and Child and Youth Care Centres such as St Francis Care Centre,” she said.

Suzan Mkhwanazi from FAMSA Boksburg stated that they offer parenting classes to parents through court and the Department of Social Development. The parenting classes are free for unemployed people.
St Francis Care Centre is a registered NPO that caters to dozens of vulnerable children and adults, most of them suffering from threatening and/or life-limiting conditions.

For more information about St Francis, contact the centre on 011 894 4151 or visit https://stfranciscarecentre.co.za/

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