Drugs. Rape. Child abuse. Neglect and alcohol abuse are a few of the many issues youth face or fall victim to. On Tuesday, July 5 Ithembalethu Outreach Project gathered about 120 children to march and take a stand against these social issues.
After a recent meeting with the Ithembalethu Outreach Project caregivers, they decided with it being the school holidays, it makes for the perfect time to get children involved in an educational, hands-on activity. Five groups of children from the Nkwezela, C-Section, Depo, VQ and Mahashini areas participated.
Each group was accompanied by two home-based caregivers. Once they marched through their areas, all five groups met near the Wembezi Police Station, loudly singing: “Down with drugs, away with child abuse,” as they held up large postersand placards to get the message across to passers-by and drivers.
Some of the posters read: “We are the future. Stop abuse, I am not a toy,” and “My grant is only to help you take care of me.” The aim of the march was to raise awareness of the reality many children deal with daily and to give them the opportunity to voice themselves.
A yummy lunch was served at the Catholic Church yard after the march, before which, plays and skits were acted out.
One skit acted out, urged children not to use drugs because you end up hurting the people who care for you. The lunch was generously sponsored by Jitesh Roy and his family.
The day, filled with informative messages, song, dance and games, was enjoyed by all who attended. Ithembalethu Outreach Project team would like to thank the Roy family for their generosity and everyone else who assisted in making the day successful, fun and memorable.
