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Harsh conditions for 11.4 million of SA youth

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Statistics shows that roughly 11.4 million children in South Africa are forced to cope with abject poverty, neglect and abuse on an almost daily basis; with little hope of respite. These children either reside in broken homes, child care facilities or on the countries streets.

In line with the annual Child Protection Week campaign, the local branch of international NGO ‘SOS Children’s Villages’ has sought to highlight the need for more focus on child welfare. This includes providing for the good health, education, safety and security of kids living in harsh and difficult home conditions.

Child rights activist, Mosa Moremi said it was imperative that children be able to live a normal life free of worry, something that was unfortunately not the case for many of the country’s youth.

“Many children are unable to access education, are dropping out of schools, cannot access health facilities and often go hungry. But we find that there is a lot being done by NGOs who try and make the life of a child easier. Government also plays its role in terms of funding (grants), and policies,” she explained.

In terms of SOS’s own work, the organisation serves as a means of providing homes for abandoned and orphaned kids, as well as promoting the strengthening of family ties and living conditions for those residing in the more impoverished areas.

“Most of the time SOS cannot reach all of the children, but we do have community based organisations (that can). SOS works directly with these CBOs in situations where we can’t reach the child directly,” she noted.

The organisation also works with young parents and caregivers, often in cases where they lacked the appropriate parental skills to look after a child. SOS seeks to intervene and help assist them. In cases of abusive families where a child is potentially at risk, the NGO will actively seek to have the children removed from such an environment.

“Sometimes we are forced to remove and care for them, whilst looking at how we can help the family to develop and deal with whatever challenges they are facing. If its abuse based on the use of alcohol or drugs, SOS will do its best to try and help rehabilitate the family,” she said.

Those seeking to contact the organisation for assistance may do so via the number 011 234 8708. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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