CMR calls for community support
MIDRAND – Child protection NGO CMR is looking for community support and participation.
An Ebony Park child protection organisation, CMR, has called for support and participation from the community.
CMR manager Prisca Mathabatha said the organisation conducts numerous fundraising events, with the aim of raising funds to assist their social workers with their day-to-day jobs.
The organisation has 570 child cases varying from all forms of abuse to child neglect, but only has two social workers working all these cases, therefore, financial resources are desperately needed.
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The organisation has been servicing the communities of Kaalfontein, Ivory Park and Ebony Park for 20 years working hand in hand with the Department of Social Development.
Social worker, Eldine Movha said she is currently handling a case that started last year. She explained that because a child’s parents had been arrested she was raised by foster parents until the age of 12. However, immediately after the father was released, he requested to have his child returned to him.
“The father did not have a place of his own to live, was unemployed and not stable enough to take care of a child. But, the children court granted the father the right to have his child returned to him, regardless of what the CMR recommendation were,” said Movha.
The father no longer wants the child and cannot afford her, she no longer wants to return to the previous foster parents, and has since been put in the care of other foster parents.
Shirley van Rooyen added that some cases were challenging and emotionally difficult to cope with. A case in point was a case a child who had been abused by foster parents and also deprived of an education.
Director of CMR Gauteng-East, Henda van der Merwe said the organisation’s sole purpose is to give the children the best childhood, and as much love as possible. Her words were echoed by media liaison officer Ilse Ferreira.
The organisation has called for financial donations as well as office furniture and stationery. They are also calling on volunteers from the health profession and psychologists.
Details: CMR 082 051 9436; 082 852 7743.
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