Support Famsa’s latest project – The Dignity Box
The 16 Days of Activism against violence against women and children is celebrated from 24 November to 10 December and Famsa’s aim is to collect at least 500 dignity boxes before 10 December.
SECUNDA – Famsa’s latest project, Dignity Box, kicked off at the beginning of September and the aim is to create awareness and support victims of violence.
The theme is ‘speak up and reach out against abuse’.
The 16 Days of Activism against violence against women and children is celebrated from 24 November to 10 December and Famsa’s aim is to collect at least 500 dignity boxes before 10 December.
The boxes will be distributed to women and children who are affected by physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
These women and children will also be offered counselling by trained counsellors or social workers.
Ms Rina Louw, social worker at Famsa, said they also want to empower people with knowledge and information about domestic violence, child abuse and bullying.
Ms Louw is looking for a group of volunteers to help her to spread the information and the dignity boxes.
The dignity boxes will be handed over to organisations working with victims of domestic violence, including the police and support centre for such victims.
“The message that Famsa wants to convey with the gesture of the boxes is that we care and that we have compassion,” said Ms Louw.
Famsa wants to get the schools involved in this project as well and Ms Louw said the learners can help by decorating the boxes.
Famsa will use the opportunity to talk to learners at schools about child abuse.
“Secunda Mall’s management and Sasol already said they will support our project.”
Ms Louw gave a few ideas on how the community can get involved.
“You and your family can work together to donate a dignity box.
“Use the opportunity while making the box to educate your children on domestic violence and child abuse.
“Hold a collecting and decorating event with your friends, social group, cell group or work colleagues and decorate the boxes together.
“Teachers can use the opportunity while their learners decorate the boxes, to educate them about child abuse and domestic violence.
“Businesses, churches or shopping centres can have dignity box drives and collect boxes.”
The dignity boxes can be filled with items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, Vaseline, toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner, a nail brush, sanitary pads, lipstick, deodorant, hand cream, a face cloth, something fun and something sweet (non-perishable).
“We want these vulnerable people to use the contents of the boxes that are beautifully and thoughtfully decorated by the community, as a symbol of their new beginning defined by dignity, optimism and hope,” said Ms Louw.
For more information, contact Famsa at 017 631 1593.
