Day of Families celebrated internationally

Modern families have unique challenges that families in other times did not have including HIV/Aids, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, only one parent or a child-headed family, or even a grandparent bringing up grandchildren.
This was the focus on International Day of Families, which was on Tuesday. According to Sonja White, social worker with SAVF Polo­kwane child and family welfare services there is, however, help available for such families. “There are several organisations equipped to provide assistance in this regard,” she said.
Promoting awareness of issues relating to families and increasing knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting them is what International Day of Families is all about, according to the Department of Social Development.
The department plans to officially commemorate this day together with the launch of Child Protection Week, which starts on 28 May. However, according to department spokesperson, Joel Seabi, activities around the building and supporting of families continue all year long in all the five districts of the province focusing on various areas of importance for families. “These include moral regeneration, balancing work and family, dialogues on issues that cause conflicts in families and equipping foster parents with parenting skills,” Seabi said.
Social Development MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana said the department recognised the pivotal position of the family unit in society as the foundation for humanitarian values and growth. “It is through the family institution that as human beings we grow and establish ourselves within communities, nations and the broader international community. Moreover, in the African tradition we are taught to live and recognise each other as family without strictly confining to blood line or family trees. We are one big family,” she said.
She stressed the importance of having healthy and happy relationships with one another. “Families are the core of society, children are born into them and some of the most important developing years of their lives are spent within families.”
Mokaba-Phukwana concluded by saying they would like to encourage everyone to play a meaningful role in harnessing and strengthening families. “After all is said and done, it is our families that we must always find and give comfort and love.”
The SAVF can be contacted on 012 325 3920, Child Welfare on 011 452 4110 or Childline on 0800 055 055. Any of these will be able to refer families to their nearest organisation, she concluded.

Story: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za