Participate in assisting Childline’s Sunlight Safehouse
PARKTOWN – Childline Gauteng has a Sunlight Safehouse within its institution and their doors are open 24/7 for any children in need of help and they also need assistance to keep going.
Childline Gauteng initiated the Sunlight Safe House Project in 1997 to provide for abused, abandoned, lost and severely neglected children in life-threatening circumstances after hours. To date, they have provided care for 7 251 children.
Previously, children reported to the Childline 24/7 toll-free helpline at night and over weekends, who were investigated by police services, the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Child Protection Services remained in unsafe situations until the next working day.
According to the director at Gauteng Childline Lynne Cawood, initially, 20 volunteer parents were trained to take children into care after hours and remained with them in temporary or foster care. “To improve our services the Sunlight House Reception Centre was established in 2007 with the support of Unilever, Sunlight Brand.
“Children who enter the system after hours receive professional child care at the Sunlight House and statutory services provided by DSD or Child Welfare.”
With the advent of their 21st, they celebrated and extended their gratitude to the Sunlight Safe House community of children, volunteer parents, staff, founder members, police, DSD, Child Welfare and funders who have been loyal partners for the past 21 years.
Cawood said it really does ‘take a village to raise a single child’ and in the absence of the village in urban Gauteng, the Childline Sunlight Safe House community has stepped up to continue the exceptional traditional African child-rearing practices.
Cawood said, “Our children know they are born into a country that truly cares for them. This is demonstrated by the volunteer parents, staff and partners (government, corporates and individuals) who provide for their needs. Every child deserves a happy childhood and we at Childline are honoured to be part of this incredible community, helping to raise our wonderful children.”
Their wish list:
q Branded clothing with Childline GP and/or LEADers programme T-shirts
q Back to school items including stationery and uniforms – grey pants and shorts, white shirt, school shoes
q Food items including cereals, long-life products and treats
q Play therapy and child development items like colouring books, dough and paint
q Battery-powered lights
q Plastic garden chairs
q Laminating machine and shredder
q Desk fans
For more details on how to help, please visit Childline at www.childlinegauteng.co.za or call 011 645 2000.
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