Atteridgeville youth learns about stranger danger
Over 70 kids from local youth care centres learned what to do when a stranger approaches them and not to be afraid to say no or to get help.
The Waratwa Foundation and supporting organisations recently held a safety awareness day to educate over 70 children about stranger danger at the Saulsville Arena in Atteridgeville.
The NGO held the event alongside the TMPD’s Social Crime Prevention Unit, Nkomo Village, Shakasports and 5M Foundation.
NGO founder Oratile Motsusi said engaging with the children from the Mama Kingdom Life, Halaletsang Child and Youth Care Centres was a rewarding experience, and he hopes their efforts will assist in keeping children safer.
“The purpose of the day was to equip them with vital safety skills and knowledge. Through an engaging mix of educational talks, interactive activities, performances, and games, the children learned how to recognise unsafe situations, respond to strangers, and build confidence in protecting themselves. The event emphasised the importance of community involvement in ensuring the well-being and safety of children,” Motsusi said.
Kids were taught to never accept anything from strangers, say no when feeling uncomfortable, and not be afraid to yell for help.
They should never share personal information with strangers, never go to unfamiliar areas by themselves, and always stay in a group.
They were urged to speak to a parent, guardian, teacher, police officer or any other adult they feel safe with when they think something is wrong.
They were also taught what number to dial in cases of emergencies, among other tips.
“We think that the Safety Awareness Day successfully combined education, entertainment, and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on the young participants,” Motsusi said.
Waratwa Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded by Motsusi, dedicated to mitigating poverty and empowering communities. Their mission is to empower and inspire people to make a positive impact, focusing on vulnerable children and communities.
For more information, visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569823615040.
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