Keeping your child safe from traffickers

Parents have been urged to stop writing the names of their children on school bags to avoid child trafficking, Rekord East reports.

The appeal was made by the Mamelodi Tshwane child welfare during the graduation ceremony of children at Ikhayalisha daycare in Mamelodi West recently.

The event was attended by parents, children, police and other concerned parties.

Tshwane child welfare social worker Anastacia Mosethla said the event was a continuation of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign.

“Tshwane child welfare is concerned about child trafficking in the country.”

She said the message was sent not only to daycare centres but to schools as well.

“Parents are urged to stop writing names of the children outside the schoolbag but instead they should write their names on the inside.

“Criminals have the tendency of looking at the names written on the backpack and they would call a child by their name. The child will respond thinking that person knew him or her and has been sent by the parent to fetch the child from school.”

Parents were also reminded of the importance of knowing the whereabouts of their children during the festive period.

“Children must also always inform their parents about their movement even when they go to play with neighbours.”

She said children needed to be protected every day and the public should also do their part.

Mosetlha said the theme for this year’s child protection week was “let us all protect children to move South Africa forward”.

She said during school holidays children were often left alone at home but encouraged parents to have some to supervise the youngsters.

Ikhayalisha daycare principal Paulinah Dibakwane said a total of seven children were graduating to go to school next year.

“But we have decided to invite all the 32 parents of the children to attend the graduation ceremony and the community at large to share the important message from the Tshwane child welfare.”

She said the message about writing children’s names on the inside of the bag should be spread around to reach as many people as possible.