A special fuss was made of the Helderberg’s children for National Child Protection Week, which saw local organisations come together to play their part at a special event.

Badisa Strand hosted the child protection event at the Phambili Community Centre in Broadlands Park, Strand on Friday (5 June). It formed part of the national awareness campaign observed from 29 May to 5 June to highlight children’s rights under the Children’s Act.

The week-long programme included an immunisation awareness session for new mothers and a blanket distribution at Gustrouw Community Day Centre on Monday 1 June. At the Morkel Cottage ECD Centre in Strand on Tuesday 2 June teachers received Form 22 training while PATCH Helderberg delivered a body-awareness programme for children.

Anree Weyers, a social worker from Badisa Strand, acknowledged that protecting children requires collaboration across all local role-players. She introduced the participating stakeholders: Strand police and their Victim Support Room; Gustrouw Community Day Centre; the provincial education department; the provincial Department of Social Development; Phambili; Mosaic; and Heartlands Baby Sanctuary.

An open engagement session allowed community members to speak freely about what was needed to better protect children in the area.

Ulen Afrika from Heartlands Baby Sanctuary closed the event.