CHILD PROTECTION WEEK:  A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

National Child Protection Week (CPW) is commemorated in South Africa annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Children's Act of 2005. The campaign is led by the Minister of Social Development; however it is incumbent on all of us to play a role in protecting children and creating a safe and secure environment for them. Children in South Africa live in a society with a Constitution that has the highest regard for their rights and for the equality and dignity of everyone. The aim of child protection is to ensure the safety, well-being, care and protection of children through an integrated multi-disciplinary approach.

Reducing the high levels of violence against children is among South Africa’s most overwhelming tasks, yet it requires a partnership approach.

Says Ronel van Zyl, Director of Social Services at Badisa, “Children is our future, yet, they are treated as if they are worthless. They suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of their parents and primary caregivers and the cycle of abuse leads to a future generation of parents who also abuse or neglect their children.  Our communities are disintegrating and lacking moral fibre. The change in family structures, lack of support for new parents and the pressure of modern day living are all contributing factors. We need to start creating communities that care for their children, raise awareness and intervene before it is too late”.

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Badisa Wynberg has created a project which equips seventy (70) day mothers (from underprivileged communities) with the tools and knowledge to each provide six vulnerable pre-school children access to formal home based Early Childhood Development (ECD).

This is achieved by providing educational equipment and monthly training workshops on the development of pre-school children, quarterly home visit support, as well as creating networking opportunities for the day mothers themselves.

Each day mother has training and exposure to the following essential aspects of ECD:

• Equipping the educator to assist the child towards emotional development and wellness
• Partnering with parents to enhance the development of pre-school children
• Identification, management and reporting of children at risk of abuse and/or neglect
• Emotional wellness of the adult educator as day mother
• Initiation of a support network between EDC carers in order to increase capability building.

ECD Bright boxes training workshop on 20 September 2014.

Thank you Lucy's for the catering. Please visit their Facebook page.

Bright Box project sponsorship of porridge for Day Mothers in Westlake – JAM

Eye on the Child is a community-based programme in Westlake and its success is based on the participation of community volunteers.

A group of ten (10) community mothers called “Westlake Mothers-in-Action” has taken the responsibility to provide safety to children, from this developing community, in times of high risk. After hours and over weekends, these Mothers-in-Action will provide short-term emergency safe houses for abused, neglected and exploited children.

These community leaders, trained by Badisa Wynberg, are now operating parenting-support programmes to interested community members.

The Mothers-in-Action project plays a pivotal role in identifying and referring children and families in need of care and protection. They are also setting an example of good leadership, solid family values and positive role modeling to the next generation.