Ekurhuleni Clinical Forensic Medical Services (CFMS) at Bertha Gxowa Care Centre visited Leeuwpoort Primary School to donate school uniforms as part of their annual school uniform donation drive.

The following organizations were present: Germiston SAPS, Department of Social Development (statutory, intake and substance abuse units), Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CDW), City of Ekurhuleni Mayor’s Office, mental health social workers, Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre, Community Policing Forum, IEC, SANCA, PCO Germiston Office, and Central Gauteng Mental Health.

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Presentations were made about the services Clinical Forensic Medical Services provide.

Learners were informed about different forms of child abuse, including the importance of reporting child sexual abuse as soon as possible, within 72 hours, in order to receive medication to protect them from HIV, unwanted pregnancy, STIs, and more.

This also allows for the collection of evidence that will corroborate the statement given to the police for court processes, and, most importantly, to get psycho-social support or counselling, as sexual abuse is a traumatic experience.

Facility manager at the Clinical Forensic Medical Services Bertha Gxowa Care Centre, Sister Hazel Moagi, said learners were also informed about the dangers of using substances and were advised not to start, as it damages their brains.

“They were encouraged to report bullying as well, and warned about the dangers of bullying other learners, as it might bring them into conflict with the law.”

“At the end of the session, CFMS staff, Germiston PCO Office and members of the Germiston GBV stakeholders donated school uniforms, school shoes, and school bags to the learners,” said Moagi.

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Each year, CFMS collaborates with teachers to identify learners in need of school uniforms or shoes. The initiative began in 2022 during the organisation’s June 16 awareness campaign, when staff launched a school uniform donation drive.

In 2023, CFMS decided to adopt Leeuwpoort Primary School, as many of the learners come from informal settlements and disadvantaged backgrounds.