Sebokeng.- The spirit of unity and care filled the Tshepong community when the SmartStart Club Leaders Committee celebrated Children Protection Week at Kingdom Seekers Ministry Church on Wednesday (June 3).

This Child Protection Week awareness event was organised by the SmartStart Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners from various ECD centres within the Sedibeng region.

It was attended by children aged 3-6 years, parents, caregivers, educators, and community stakeholders.

The main purpose of the event was to promote child safety, protection, emotional well-being, and awareness within families and communities. This event was graced by various stakeholders, including SAPS, the Department of Social Development, Health Services, Community Safety Structures, and Child Protection Organisations, who participated in educational and awareness programmes.

We focused on educating children and communities about child safety.

Some organisations and stakeholders who supported this awareness event included officials from KM Women’s League and Thmbinkosi Gavin from MASP.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Lesego Motsamai from SmartStart Club Leaders Committee said the event, organised under the leadership of Coach Maria Mofokeng, focused on educating children and communities about child safety, children’s rights, and the importance of protecting young people from abuse, neglect and violence.

We encourage children to speak out.

“The day went as we planned. Thank you to all the organisations, stakeholders, and community members who came in numbers to support this initiative. It was a great day for all of us, especially the children who enjoyed every activity they participated in. We invited various speakers and stakeholders who addressed important issues affecting children in communities. Some of the things we discussed include understanding child protection, identifying good touch and bad touch, encouraging children to speak out, and promoting the reporting of abuse to trusted adults,” said Motsamai.