Eldorado Park hosts child protection awareness campaign
The Masibambisane Community hosted a child protection campaign on May 26 in Eldorado Park, by inviting Eldorado Park community and different stakeholders, lawyers, nurses, social workers, and members from Gauteng Department of Education, raising awareness of ending violence against children.
The Masibambisane Community hosted a child protection campaign on May 26 in Eldorado Park, bringing together community members and various stakeholders, including lawyers, nurses, social workers, and representatives from the Gauteng Department of Education. The event aimed to raise awareness about ending violence against children.
Nare Manamela, Masibambisane Centre manager, said the theme of the child protection awareness campaign was working together to end violence against children.
Photo: Tsengela Muedi
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“We realised that there are a lot of children who need a warm home, so we are encouraging Eldorado Park community members to protect children,” she said. Manamela added that Eldorado Park faces many cases of child neglect and abuse.
Kgomotso Zitha, an adoption social worker, explained that there are two categories of children in the system: consented and abandoned children.
Photo: Tsengela Muedi
“Consent children are when a mother goes to the office and says that due to unforeseen circumstances she wants to give up her child.
“She then goes to court to sign consent and is given 60 days to reconsider the decision. If the 60 days pass without her returning to court, the consent is final, meaning the mother cannot claim the child back,” she said.
“Abandoned children are those found dumped on the streets, in bins or toilets. The police bring them to our offices, and social workers then advertise to trace the parents. If 90 days pass without the child being claimed, the case goes to court and the child is declared adoptable.”
Photo: Tsegela Muedi
Zitha added that their offices are based at Princess Alice, Westcliff, 34B Pallinghurst Street.
Eldorado Park community member Daniella Darries shared her personal experience with bullying.
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“When my son was in Grade Six, I noticed he was very depressed and did not want to go to school.
“After speaking to him, I discovered that a high school boy was bullying him and taking his lunch. I went to the principal, and they helped address the situation. Things got better afterwards,” she said.
Pinky Mahlong, an educational specialist in inclusion and special schools, explained how learners are supported within the education system.
“If a learner is retained but still cannot benefit from the support they are receiving in the classroom, that is when we can consider referral for school-based assessment support,” she said.
