Under-resourced NGO takes Child Protection awareness to Schools in Botshabelo

 
An NPO in Botshabelo embarked on child protection awareness focusing on primary schools in the second largest township in Free State.
 
A poverty-stricken township 50 km outside Bloemfontein with a high unemployment rate, gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and crime is getting support from the Setshabelo Family and Child Services.
 
NGOs are on the ground and overstretched. They need the support to continue responding effectively to daily challenges experienced by vulnerable children, youth, and families.
 
According to UNICEF childhood violence and neglect are issues of serious concern that are frequently overlooked because, unfortunately, the hard facts and realities of life for vulnerable children have become far too commonplace. Around the world, approximately three out of four children between the ages of 2 and 4 (300 million in total) are violently disciplined by caregivers regularly.
 
Another 15 million adolescent girls, ages 15-19, have been sexually assaulted (UNICEF, 2017).
The statistics on violence against children in South Africa are just as staggering and demonstrate the need for an urgent response from the government, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and specifically the child protection system.

According to the reputable Optimus Study, one in four children experiences some form of maltreatment (physical, sexual, emotional, or neglect) during their childhood (Artz, Burton, Ward, Leoschut, Phyfer, Loyd & Le Mottee, 2016).
Alarmingly, the study reports one in three children experiences some type of sexual abuse before reaching the age of 18 (Artz et al., 2016).

The child homicide rate of 5.5 children per 100,000 child deaths in South Africa is twice as high as the global estimate and almost half of these homicides involved previous abuse (Mathews, Abrahams, Jewkes, Martin, & Lombard, 2013).

While high rates of violence against children are considered “a daily reality” in South Africa (UNICEF, 2017), efforts to combat violence in our homes, schools, and communities demand critical analysis and immediate interventions. Child maltreatment impedes the nation’s ability to uphold its commitment to children’s rights and to ensure healthy socioeconomic development within the country.

Despite being under-resourced and overwhelmed Setshabelo Family and Child Care visited three primary schools led by two qualified social workers; Sellwane Selepe and Kamohelo Pholoana and puppeteers Dk and Ellen as follows:
Mabela Primary School in Section U on the 31 May 2022,
WATCH:

Mmusapelo Primary school in Section E on the 1st June 2022,

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Thato Primary School in Section K on the 2nd June 2022

Asked why these three schools Sellwane Selepe said.
“The main purpose was for younger learners to grasp things better when it piques their interest and that’s why we used puppetry to get the message across as the puppet show funnily highlighted important information.”

With regards to how Setshabelo will sustain this post Child Protection Week Selepe said, The Social workers have programs monthly where they address various issues through awareness and education of the learners.
 
The collaboration between social workers and puppeteers will continue in that manner as and when they are needed they will accompany the social workers for the programs.”

To spread the awareness the organization was on Qwaqwa Radio and Setsoto FM on Monday and Tuesday respectively talking about Child Protection Week.

Sharing what the interview on Qwaqwa radio was entailed Matseba Letlafuoa said.
 
“The interview with Setsoto FM was on Child protection. We focused on contemporary threats to children flourishing, ie. Drugs, Gangsterism, and early sexual exploitation (teenage pregnancy).”
 
Setshabelo offers Victim Empowerment Program Services.

Setshabelo is already working with schools in Botshabelo to provide counselling services to learners through coordinated relationship with Social workers and Principals from the Department of Education. Because of high cases referred to us by schools of increased Bullying, GBV cases and suicide Setshabelo had to respond with speed and Child Protection Week was used to extend our school based social work services to more schools in Botshabelo.

For more on what Setshabelo does and if you want to assist with funding please visit their website www.sasfcs.org.za
 
If you have any news or tips please send us an email at news@stepupsanews.co.za