The involvement of police in helping to protect Centurion children will form a vital part of the upcoming Child Protection Week initiative.
The project is expected to benefit and assist in the protection of over 20 000 children.
It will run from 6 to 17 May, with follow-up activities taking place in the last week of May as well.
Although National Child Protection Week takes place at the end of May, a local project is planned to take place much earlier.
“Last year we wanted to visit schools and engage with children, but found it difficult because of school holidays,” said organiser Danie van Loggerenberg.
He is the founder and director of the Toys for Africa Foundation, which is organising the project.
“The reason we involved the police is because we want our children to be safe,” he said.
“I remember going to school and seeing the ‘men in blue’. They were our heroes, but today because of a few bad apples our children often do not feel the same. We want that to change. The police are where safety starts.”
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As part of child protection week, Toys for Africa, will visit over 20 schools in the Centurion area with the police.
“Our aim is to speak to children,” said Van Loggerenberg.
“We want to teach them about safety, for example, how to not be a bully and what to do when you are bullied. With the older kids we will educate them on drugs as well as crimes that are prevalent in the area.”
This was echoed by Lyttelton police spokersperson Captain Dave Miller.
Miller said child protection should not only be a topic of discussion in the space of one week but focused on throughout the year.
“Our goal is to interact with the children and educate them on crime and protecting themselves,” he said.
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