Katha Edu-Care graduation

Branches of Katha Edu-Care held their Grade R graduation ceremony on the same day as their awareness event for the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children Abuse.

The ceremony took place at Vosloorus Ke-ditsilane Multi Cultural Village on Friday, November 25. It was held with the aim of making people aware of violence against women and children.

One of the speakers, Lephoto Mphihiseng, said people must not laugh at the victims of abuse but should help by reporting abuse if they see it happening.

“Each and every minute, there is a woman who is being abused and a child who is getting beaten up. In order to stop this from happening we should not keep quiet. Children get affected psychologically. You can see that when they end up practising what they see at home on other children at school.

“We must educate and train each other about abuse. Our government is willing to support us,” said Mphihiseng.

Lemisa Labane from the National Development Agency (NDA) was present to explain how the NDA supports teaching and learning.

“We provide non-profit organisation like this one with support. For an example, we provide them with capacity buildings and help with renovations, train them in financial management and also help them get registered.

“The NDA empowers young people with education because it is their democratic right to get a good education. If we deny children access to education, that is abuse,” said Labane.

According to Capt. Mega Ndobe, the communications officer at Katlehong Police Station, there are many cases of abuse against children countrywide that are not reported .

“The reason why there are no reports in some of the cases is that some of the abusers are the breadwinners at home. They get away with abuse because victims are afraid that those who support them will go to jail.

“It is your responsibility as neighbours to report such cases,” said Ndobe.

Social worker Khosi Phosa started her speech by encouraging parents to pay their children’s school fees at Katha Edu-Care .

She explained what the school fees are used for.

“The Department of Social Development Agency helps to pay for the children’s food. They also pay teachers’ salaries.

“School fees pay for those who look after your children. Let us make sure that we pay school fees so that those people will get paid.

“It also helps with educational toys and other important equipment,” said Phosa.

Phosa went on to congratulate the Grade R’s on their achievement.

“These young people have made it to the next grade (Grade One). It is actually their first step of achievement. They have shown in their classes that they are capable and that they can make it anywhere in life. They just need proper guidance,” she said.