When a child speaks: Rotary Club of Hibiscus Coast turns a pledge into action
The workshop was was attended by 60 educators and staff members.
What began with a simple pledge has developed into a meaningful partnership aimed at strengthening the way adults respond when a child speaks about abuse.
The Rotary Club of Hibiscus Coast recently partnered with Genesis Hope and Merlewood Primary to present When a Child Speaks: Responding to Disclosures of Abuse, a practical workshop attended by 60 educators and school staff.
The initiative followed the Rotary Club’s participation in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, when club members signed a pledge committing themselves to taking a stand against GBV and child abuse.
The idea gained momentum when Rotary public image chair, Wilma Lig, met with Zanele Sikhunyana of Genesis Hope, herself a former Rotary exchange student.
The workshop was facilitated by Augustine D’Ewes, clinical psychologist, whose extensive professional experience and practical knowledge brought exceptional value to the session.
Through her Rotary connection, Augustine generously offered her expertise pro bono, guiding participants through realistic scenarios and demonstrating how adults can respond appropriately, calmly and sensitively when a child discloses abuse.
The response clearly demonstrated the need for this type of practical training.
A further contribution came from Dianne Reynolds, who generously donated a set of anatomically correct therapeutic dolls.
These dolls were gifted to Genesis Hope social workers as a communication aid when working therapeutically with children who may struggle to put traumatic experiences into words.
Used appropriately by trained professionals, such tools can help create a safer, child-centred way for children to communicate and express experiences that may otherwise be difficult to verbalise.
Rotary thanked the principal, Nthabi Mohlaoli, and the Merlewood Primary team, for their warm hospitality, as well as Genesis Hope and its team for their commitment to this important initiative, and to Augustine for her continued professional support and guidance to the social workers.
For Rotary, this is not the end of the project, but the beginning of a continuing outreach programme.
“When a child finds the courage to speak, we have a responsibility to listen, respond appropriately and help create a path towards safety and support.”
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