Church brings awareness to GBV and substance abuse
Church educated community on gender based violence and substance abuse
Divine Truth Ministries International (DTMI) held a march to create awareness about GBV and substance abuse on March 20.
DTMI, a Kaalfontein-based church, decided to hold their first campaign march in response to recent events, one of which was the death of Tembisa Hospital nurse Lebogang Monene.
It was previously reported that on February 9, Monene was allegedly shot by her boyfriend at Tembisa Hospital, before he later turned the gun on himself.
To raise awareness about GBV and substance abuse in the community, the church took to the streets of Thembisa.
The community came out in numbers as the organisation targeted the youth to educate them on the issues.
They educated them on how to seek help if they were involved in a situation involving GBV or substance abuse.
According to pastor Mmatshepo Damane, one of the founders of DTMI, they educated the crowd in terms of rehabilitation, counselling and support, which are underlying issues that are often ignored.
“People who struggle with GBV and substance abuse don't know who to talk to and they don't realise they have a community, family and friends to support and help them,” Damane explained.
Damane said not knowing who to talk to or where to get help often wrecks family relationships because people are frequently misunderstood and there isn't proper communication between family members.
“That's how people end up on the streets or in struggling situations because they are scared and in need of help but are often too afraid to say so,” she said.
She went on to say that the church was accompanied by representatives from various organisations such as the South African National Civic Association, social development representatives, SAPS and Ward 111 councillors.
Mlungisi Zondi, an ex-convict, also addressed the crowd as a guest speaker.
The church expressed gratitude to the authorities and all councillors as well as organisations that supported the initiative, hoping that it would have a significant impact on the community.
