While the country continues to grapple with the scourge of gender-based violence, a much more pressing need for comfort packs for teenage children has surfaced, according to Matla A Bana’s project manager, Lizel van Eeden.
To heed this call from various police stations in the country, the non-profit organisation, which acts as a voice against child abuse, gathered volunteers again at Mosaïek church in Fairland on Thursday, 1 October and put together 300 comfort packs to assist vulnerable children.
Lizel briefed the Northsider on this unique shift in their cause. “The need that we’ve seen in all the provinces of late is the teenager packs, on which we’ve not focused much in the past,” she said.
She said they also put together packs for boys, as assault cases involving boys have increased considerably. “The greater public always thinks GBV only applies to adults, meanwhile children are more exposed to sexual, physical and emotional abuse,” she explained.
She also emphasised that usually, the victims know the perpetrators of GBV, as they could be family and community members.
Model Bianca Rautenbach, the current reigning Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2019 and Ster-Status finalist, also denounced the scourge and encouraged the many victims in their corners to speak out.
“My message about GBV is never keep quiet, whether you’re a victim or know of someone going through the abuse. I encourage them to raise their voices because there is always someone looking to lend that helping hand,” she motivated. Bianca also appealed to residents to support and follow her journey on Ster-Status, a woman-empowerment show on the DStv VIA channel 147 every Tuesdays at 6pm.
Since those who put together these packs are predominantly female volunteers, a single male at the venue, Tyron Wolhuter from Northcliff, encouraged more men to avail themselves for such great causes.
“Women are not the only people living in our society, and in some cases, women require extra hands from the opposite gender, especially with carrying heavy stuff,” he encouraged.
The youngster added that as a recovering addict he uses these platforms to be of services to others.
The provinces that will benefit from these packs are North West, Limpopo and Free State. Lizel concluded by thanking their main sponsor Old Mutual, Mosaïek for providing the venue, and all the volunteers for making the packing fast and fun.
