Tackling social issues among the youth head-on

The Girls Grow Group, a Kagiso-based community organisation, recently hosted an informative health awareness day at the Kagiso Recreational Centre.

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According to the founder, Nthabiseng Nalane, the purpose was mainly to cater for the youth in the area to assist them in being aware of their surroundings and teaching them how to improve their lifestyle, in being aware of their health and avoiding illegal substances.

Over 150 children attended the seminar, where various stakeholders such as the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Department of Social Development and other community organisations also attended.

Nthabiseng added that HIV and substance abuse have been a growing issue among young people in Kagiso, and the organisation hopes to build relationships with government departments and parents to confront the social issue.

“Many children in the area are left unsupervised because the adults are at work. It is easy for the children to be exposed to community ailments.

We therefore took it upon ourselves to confront these issues in the meantime and provide programmes after school and over the holidays to keep children productive,” Nthabiseng said.

The organisation is mainly based in Krugersdorp, however, they have reached out to other areas on the West Rand to guide many young women and girls.