The Life Choices Pregnancy Crisis Centre, Women Against Women and Children Abuse (Wawa) as well as the Vukane Old Age Club addressed the community about crisis intervention this past week.
Wawa is a service provider that contributes to the fight against violence against women and children. Wawa representatives also spoke about the services they render to those in need.
These services are:
• Shelter for abused women and their children (short term)
• Counselling – directly or telephonically for individuals, couples, groups and families
• Assisting victims of crime
• Educational talks, lobbying and campaigning
• Information and referrals
• Paralegal services
• Outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation
Wawa hosted the event and Enrico Bhana was the programme director. Enrico is also a member of the Men’s Forum in Toekomsrus, an organisation that assists and informs men about day to day issues.
Hester Green was the founder of Wawa and started the project in 2008. Jonathan Webster is the CEO and he was involved actively in planning and participating in the days’ activities. Wawa is funded partly by the government.
Life Choices Pregnancy Centre’s personnel came all the way from Benoni to do their part by donating baby clothes to those in need. They are also a non-profit organisation (NGO).
Lauren Jee, the Centre Manager, spoke about the options a woman or girl has if she falls pregnant unplanned. They supply free pregnancy tests, counselling and information about abortion and adoption.
According to Jee,
We inform the women of their different options if pregnant, and then they can make an informed decision based on the information that was given to them. Many women choose abortion, but they do not realise what a traumatic experience it is and how negatively it impacts the rest of your life.”
The Vukane Old Age Club, of which the founder is Thelma Bors, gave out blankets and socks to the community They also addressed the audience regarding values and parenting.
The day was a huge success and the community went home informed and impressed with the goods they received.