Hope Park Village Children’s in Munsieville recently welcomed community members to educate them on the role they can play to ensure the safety of children in the community. This was to mark Child Protection Week which is commemorated in late May to the beginning of June.
• Also read: #ChildProtectionWeek: How to get help
According to the South African Government, National Child Protection Week is commemorated in the country annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). The campaign is led by the Department of Social Development in partnership with key government departments and civil society organisations rendering child protection services.
Child safety also remains a big issue on the West Rand as many parents struggle to keep their children away from the things that may put them in danger such as crime, drugs, sexual assault and peer pressure. The Department of Social Development (DSD) joined by other West Rand organisations came together on Monday, May 28 to create awareness about the obstacles that many children face and also explained the services that they offer to assist children who are in need.
The Hope Park Children’s Centre was a good place to start as the centre is available to those in need in that area.
According to Boitshepo Mogorosi, an after-school programme supervisor, the area is filled with disadvantaged children who find themselves struggling with drugs and homelessness.
The kids we assist come from mainly broken homes and have no adult or mentor to guide them. We do our best every day to ensure they don’t put themselves in danger,” said Boitshepo.
Stakeholders who addressed the community at the event were mainly based in Krugersdorp such as Krugersdorp Child Welfare, West View Clinic and West Rand Health District.
Itani Mandzana, a social worker from West View Clinic addressed the community and encouraged them to play a role in assisting the children.
In African culture, we know that it takes a village to raise a child, so we all must work together as a community to ensure that our children are safe.
“I also have to say to parents that don’t wait until things get worse before you call us to assist you in ensuring that the well-being of your child is safe.”
The DSD on the West Rand as well as stakeholders want parents to know they have their full support as they would inform them that they offer programmes and services such as counselling, after-school programmes, support groups for sexual abuse victims and drug tests.
The department encourages parents and guardians to play their roles by ensuring the safety of the children.
