Centurion schools receive stationery packs
"We have had much success following school visits when the children later return to the police station to come and talk about the issues."
The Centurion Child Protection Hotline with police recently visited three local high schools in Centurion to hand out stationery packs to help learners.
On 21 August, Toys for Africa, the Centurion Child Protection Hotline along with Captain David Miller and Constable Nkoana (new social crime officer) from Lyttelton police and Constable Nkuna from Wierdabrug police visited Hoërskool Centurion, Hoërskool Zwartkop and Lyttelton Manor High School.
“During these visits, we made stationery handovers to each school. All the stationery was sponsored by Jean Crossing, one of the partners of the Centurion Child Protection Hotline,” Danie van Loggerenberg, Founder of Toys for Africa said.
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Van Loggerenberg said business cards with the Centurion Child Protection Hotline number (071-192-0569) printed on were also handed out at the various schools.
“All three schools discussed some of their concerns with regards to cyberbullying. Other topics discussed with Captain David Miller included the process to report suspected child abuse and how to deal with learners that struggle with drugs.”
“Once Covid regulations allow school visits, the Centurion Child Protection Hotline will make appointments with all the schools, for a visit from the hotline and police.”
Van Loggerenberg said every year the Centurion Child Protection Hotline and police visit just over 40 000 children from various primary and high schools around Pretoria.
“The main aim of the stationery drive, was to ensure the learners attending school, have the necessary stationery to participate in the classroom, especially now that many parents have been affected by Covid-19.”
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He said the stationery drive allows the Centurion Child Protection Hotline in conjunction with local police time to inform learners about keeping children safe.
“The hotlines are currently experiencing high volumes of SMS and WhatsApp messages as well as phone calls.”\
“It is our passion to help children and the public is invited to rather be safe than sorry,” Van Loggerenberg concluded. Lyttelton police spokesperson, Captain Dave Miller said the purpose behind the drive is to connect with the schools and to develop a relationship and build trust with children.
Miller said police use this time to address various issues such as child abuse, bullying, substance abuse, the dangers of social media and cyberbullying.
“We have had much success following school visits when the children later return to the police station to come and talk about the issues. It is an effective way to reaching the children and it is reaping positive results.”
Miller further said the Centurion Child Protection Hotline has proven to be extremely effective and serves as a direct line between the children and the hotline which is then referred to the police.
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