Child Protection Week empowers Eldos learners
Pillay said, "One child too many has been hurt and killed. It's time we take a stand."
On Wednesday morning, Boekenhout Primary School in Extension Three joined the Child Protection Week awareness campaign. Pupils from the school lined the school’s driveway with their placards and chants of, ‘One child too many’ and ‘No more child abuse’.
Yao-Heng Michael Sun, the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) of public safety in Johannesburg was in attendance to support not only, Child Protection Week, but the learners as well. Sun said that it was important to educate the pupils about what is really happening in society.
He said, “They need to know that no-one has right to touch them and that they, even as young as they are, deserve to be respected.” He added that many young children, even babies are being abandoned in their own homes because of parents and family members who are drug addicts. “Some children go days without food, that is how bad the neglect is,” he said.
Sun addressed the pupils in the assembly quad and reminded them of three important facts. The first was that no one is allowed to touch any child inappropriately, the second that all children have the right to say no and lastly, that no child should be afraid of reporting any incidents to their teachers and to the police. He said, “I am very proud of you today, you are standing up for your rights and you are taking a stand. Always remember to say no to anything you are not comfortable doing.”
Child Protection Week was introduced globally to create awareness and to provide support to children and to the community as a whole. The Local Drug Action Committee chairperson, Chery Pillay, is at the forefront of ensuring that information about children’s rights are protected and that the campaign is successfully rolled out in Eldorado Park. She said, “One child too many has been hurt and killed. It’s time we take a stand.”
