The reality of a new born baby burning to death in a dustbin is the most traumatic image that reflects a hellish world in Gauteng, which is the richest area in Africa. One has to reflect on the fabric of our social systems that allow this to happen. Some of the conditions which give rise to this include:
Extreme poverty.
Desperation and lack of support and information about services for parents.
Unwanted pregnancies from sexual violence, poor planning or the parents being too young to know what to do.
The phenomenon of many fathers abdicating their responsibility towards their children leaving mothers who are in a difficult situation unable to cope alone.
The highly sexualized images that abound which has increase promiscuity and reduced the sense of the sacred within sexual relationships.
HIV/Aids.
The millions of people who have sought refuge from untenable situations in Gauteng / SA and face a difficult future are particularly vulnerable.
There are certainly solutions to be found in the free family planning clinics throughout the province which make it possible to ensure that every child is a wanted child where the family is able to provide the basic needs. Bringing a child to earth to suffer creates untold hurt over a lifetime.
If a parent is unable to cope they are welcome to phone our 24/7 Childline where trained professional counsellors will refer them to the appropriate services.
Abandoning a child condemns that child to a life of not knowing: their ancestors, grandparents, parents, siblings, culture, religion, language, history, genetic makeup. The sense of abandonment and fear of annihilation a child is left with in these circumstances, has a great psychological impact on a child that can remain throughout their lives.
These are the 7 abandoned children coming into our care since the 16th February 2010:
6 Day old girl was found outside the gate of a school by a passerby who felt compassion for the child and took her to the nearest police station. They brought her to the Sunlight Safe House. The umbilical cord was still moist and she was very distressed and hungry but slept well after she was bathed and fed. She has been placed in a community home place of safety.
The biological mother of a 5 month old baby girl was angry with the child’s father and she left the baby with him. He could not care for the child and asked female friend to look after the baby. This person took care of the child for 2 weeks but eventually took the child to SAPS in Diepkloof when he did not return. The child ate well but was well dressed. She has been placed with one of our loving Sunlight Safe House moms.
4 month old girl child was left on a doorstep of a house by 2 men. The house-holders took the baby to SAPS. The community member had no idea where the child came from. The child was very happy to be with our Sunlight Safe House mother.
2 day old baby girl was found by a security guard at a dump site near Douglasdale. The child was taken to the SAPS by the security officer who felt great pity for the child. There were no injuries. The child was very hungry but soon settled into the Child and Youth Care Workers arms. She is doing very well in our care.
2 month old girl child was left with relative strangers when her mother and father left to seek work in Dubai. The parents never returned and the carers took the child to Johannesburg Child Welfare and we took care of the baby for the night.
A 4 month old girl was brought to the Johannesburg Central Police Station by the boyfriend of the mother who had left the child alone at home for a period of 2 days. The child looked healthy and was well dressed and is happily smiling at his place of safety mother.
A 1 year old little boy was found on the corner of Kerk and Loveday Streets, Johannesburg. The SAPS took the child to Child Welfare who left him in our care until the next day when they were able to place him in care.
Herewith the quote from Archbishop, Patron of Childline, quote from God has a Dream: Through conception of the child in the spirit of love we are able to engage with the concept of the holy trinity where the joining of 2 souls in love creates a beautiful new life. Children are created from the spark of God that exists within us all and enables us to bring life onto this earth. The process of conception, birth and nurturing of children symbolizes our human ability to co-create our world in accordance with our Creator’s image.
These are not the exact words so do not use quotation marks.
The Childline 24/7 Helpline is 08000 55555 and professional counsellors are on standby to assist parents who cannot cope with their children with advice on who to turn to.
Childline would really value your support for the 300 children currently in our Sunlight Safe House and direct deposits can be made into our bank account: Childline Gauteng, FNB Parktown code 250 455, Account Number 503 900 33823. Please phone Sheri on (011) 645 2000 or our website www.childline.org.za
Warm Regards Lynne Cawood Director Childline Gauteng & Sunlight Safe House Childline - Gauteng PO Box 32453 Braamfontein, 2017 Tel: 011 645 2000 Fax: 011 645 2020
24 Hour Toll-Free Helpline 08000 55555 Email:
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URL: www.childline.org.za
Walking in my nighty; rubbing my eyes My fathers sitting on the sofa with his friend He pats the seat in the middle; i sit Shivering so cold; a quilt he lends
"Jessy you love me don't you" a smile Their breathe spirts weeps "Daddy you know i do; what is it?" He smiles at his friend; his hand creeps
His friend takes my hand; looks me in the eyes Daddys creeping up my nightie; cold hands I try to pull his hand away; their grip is strong! They look at one another; nod; something planned
I feel my palms sweat; Daddys under my knickers "Daddy im going to bed! Night" Pulling again But there grip is to strong for weak me I look at both; and ask, who are these men?
His fingers going up me; pulling away His friend leans forward; a kiss? Why? His toungue moving mine; my eyes squint Lean back and away; "Why are you doing this?" No answer, i feel the pain inside me; him Chucks the quilt on the floor; me to I try and scamper away, but im not fast "O Daddy please, i love you"
His friend; pulling at my nightie And my Dad pulling my pants down His friend pinning my hands to the floor As my Dad lies himself on the ground
I squirm; as Daddy friend pulls me up And places me ontop of Daddy; thrusts within I cry; i bite; i scratch; i slap; i fail "O Daddy please you win you win!"
I can feel my skin rip; my virginity breaking free I can feel the blood seep down my leg "Daddy your hurting me please" I plead to him and his friend; not even a beg
Daddys laughing; why does he laugh? His friend shoves himself in my mouth and moans Tieing my hands togather; moving in and out "Ride me Jessy" He laughs and groans
They smile at one another; laugh to They roll me over and spread me wide well My daddy sits on my face; himself in again While his friend talks and pushes himself inside
I can hardly breathe; i gag for air I cough and splutter; cry and weep I beg and plead; but its no use Theyve already made me hurt and bleed
I stare into his eyes; that look upon me This is not my Dad; where is he? If he was still here; would he care Would he actually even; see?
Finally they get off and lie me on the sofa My cheeks blouchy from tears and pain They play with them selfs; all over me Rub it in; making me feel the shame
"Why Daddy? Please tell me why?" Dad looks at his friend; and waves him away "Jessy i love you" he smiles and kisses my cheek "Is that all you have in your heart to say?"
He puts my nightie on me he walks me to my bedroom door Ever since that night; His friend And himself every Friday come back for more
"Night sweet Girl; You are my life" Closing the door, tears still down my face Still the smell of him and his friend Fade into me like disgrace
I watch the Moon go down; the sun come up "Jessy its school" Knocking at my door I cant help but cry; weep in pain Because im so scared he wanted more
But one night daddy took it too far Daddy and his friend came back for one last shot They were worried they would get caught So he and his friend took me to a cemetary lot
I was blindfolded and my hands were tied back "Daddy please!! Not tonight!" Daddy and his friend both had their last fun After that i tried to put up a fight
I begged daddy "Please no more!" All he could say "Shut up you stupid piece of SHIT!" Daddy unblindfolded me at last He said I love you so much
He went back into the car and pulled out a bat "Daddy I swear I wont say a thing!!!!" I was dead After only one swing..........................
Matla A Bana - A voice against child abuse
Matla A Bana is a charity project initiated and managed by the Callie and Monique Strydom Charity Trust (www.strydomtrust.com). The Callie and Monique Trust were founded upon the return of Callie and Monique Strydom after a 4-month hostage ordeal in Southeast Asia. At the end of 2002 Monique Strydom was asked to chair a task team that investigated child rape in South Africa. A need for an organization which could address all the grey areas in the child protection system in South Africa arose and the Strydom Trust undertook to address this need. Matla a Bana is a National organization, with predominant focus in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
For more information on how you can help please click here.
The Kelsey Briggs Story
This little angel is no longer with us. Born: December 28, 2002 Died: October 11, 2005 She was just 3 years old when her own mother and step-father beat her to death.
Kelsey, we salute you and hope that you are flying high with the angels where NO ONE can hurt you anymore.
If you discover someone living in your neighborhood is a former sex offender, and you want to approach him or her, Jake suggests taking the following steps.
Be wary of adults who have one or more of these behaviors. Educating yourself about common child molester traits is crucial to keeping your family out of harm's way.
This website will help you protect your child today. Plus, learn preventive measures and invaluable strategies to assure your kids grow up in a safe and secure environment.
