Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) came third in the Vital Awards campaign.
WMACA won R35 000 in a national campaign to bring attention to concerns committed to fighting women and child abuse. This organisation helps children who are victims of abuse by providing a basket of services, including medical and therapeutic treatment as well as court preparation. The Randburg-based non-profit organisation, founded in 1997, operates five Kidz Clinics in Alexandra, Boksburg, Duduza, Orange Farm and Pretoria.
These one-stop child-friendly centres provide free medical and psychological treatment for children who have been sexually, physically and/or emotionally violated.
They also have replicas of a real-life courtroom, where specially trained officers introduce children who are required to testify against their perpetrators in court.
“We make a huge difference in the communities where we provide these services,” says Kevin Barbeau, executive director for WMACA.
“The grant will go a long way to help us fight child abuse.”
WMACA was nominated in October by Gauteng resident Sharon du Rand, whose sister was a victim of abuse and was helped by the organisation.
Vital Foundation is an organisation which elicits support from health-conscious South Africans from all over the country.
For every Vital Health Foods supplement pack sold, R1 is donated to organisations that fight abuse.