Portia wants to reach out to abused women
Community can get involved in the Dignity Box project.
Portia Skhosana began her career as a social auxiliary worker at Famsa Highveld Ridge in April last year. She grew up in an informal settlement, Vlaklaagte, near eMalahleni (Witbank) and always had a passion for helping people in need.
Skhosana completed a one-year course to become a social auxiliary worker. She did volunteer work with a church for many years before relocating to Secunda and taking up a position at Famsa.
“I saw the advertisement for the job and decided it was time to explore and get out of my comfort zone,” said Skhosana.
She volunteered at orphanages and was involved in food drive projects where they gave soup to homeless people.
In her free time, Skhosana watches television or reads her Bible. She is in the process of becoming a qualified social worker.
Her latest project in Secunda is the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children Dignity Box project, where they are currently collecting toiletries for women affected by gender-based violence.
Skhosana identified and invited 50 women to an event on December 1, where they will hand out the dignity boxes.
“I saw the need for these boxes because I work in the community and see how gender-based violence affects people,” said Skhosana.
“I am trying to bring a smile to the faces of these women, to restore their joy. For some of these women, it is difficult to get out of an abusive relationship or marriage. We want to encourage them with this project.
“They must also feel special, loved, worthy and important.”
With this project, they also want to keep extra boxes in the office to hand out to women as needed.
“We aim to collect 500 dignity boxes throughout the year.”
A family can make up a dignity box as an activity for them to spend time together. Parents can use the opportunity to educate their children about domestic violence and child abuse.
Schools, groups of friends, cell groups or colleagues can also make up and decorate a box and use the opportunity to learn more about acting with compassion towards victims of domestic violence or child abuse.
The items that must be inside the boxes include a toothbrush and toothpaste, a bottle of Vaseline, a roll of toilet paper, soap, a small bottle of shampoo/conditioner, a nail brush, lip balm, a packet of sanitary towels, lipstick, deodorant, hand cream, a face cloth, something fun, such as a teddy bear, a bracelet, a pair of slippers and something sweet, such as a non-perishable packet of sweeties.
“We want the survivors to feel special when they get these boxes and, as a symbol of their new beginning, defined by dignity, optimism, love and hope,” said Skhosana.
Those who do not want to make up a whole box can also donate any items to the boxes and drop them off at Famsa’s office.
For more information, visit Famsa or contact them on 017 631 1593 or 071 363 4379.
