Sinetjhejo Community Project recently held their GBV and substance abuse awareness in Orlando East Clinic.
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The non-profit organization advocates for various issues in the community, including elderly people, those living with disabilities and social issues such as child headed households.
According to Kathleen Moticoe of Sinetjhejo Community Project, the day was aimed at highlighting issues which are believed to be prevalent in the community in which substance abuse is believed to be the cause.
She added that residents, especially young people are faced with various challenges including that of unemployment and they resort to drugs and alcohol which eventually leads to GBV.
“As communities, we need to bear in mind that these issues affect all of us and it is advisable to have such engagements and awareness campaigns now than later because we are all affected, directly and indirectly,” Moticoe said.
She also urged various stakeholders including local police, civil and religious institutions to take part in the fight of eradicating these issues.
“We believe that there is an integrated approach which can be taken to face these pandemics and it all starts by offering knowledge which will enable them to know the signs of both GBV and substance abuse, how and where to report them.”
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Residents are also encouraged to report any form of abuse to the police.
“We are still far from winning the fight against these social issues and for us to win everyone should play their part and use the resources which are given to them.
“In this way, we can hopefully have a GBV and substance free zone.”
The organisation works with SANCA and refers patients who are battling additions but want to change their lives.
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“Change starts with all of us. It pains my heart to see young people fighting addiction because when looking at such situations from the outside one would fail to see and understand how substance abuse destroys families, but for us who work closely with the affected individuals and families we see that many families were left broken due to drugs and alcohol and this is why we are here to help.”
For more information, residents can contact Moticoe on 078 032 2718.
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