Child Welfare South Africa Press Release: Helping Turn The Tide This 16 Days of Activism Period

2 Dec 2008

DESPITE South Africa's startling child statistics notwithstanding, Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) is making significant inroads into addressing problems of child abuse with its Isolabantwana program.

Meaning "Eye on the Child", the Isolabantwana program assists communities in taking responsibility for their children through pro-active observation.

In the program, initiated by Child Welfare Cape Town 11years ago, CWSA trains volunteers from the community to be alert for abuse or family crises and then provide follow-up counseling.

"Isolabantwana is our primary method of addressing address child abuse and deal with potential problems in families," says CWSA Director Ashley Theron, "and we are promoting the program during this upcoming 16 Days of Activism period."

16 Days of Activism, the national response to realities & issues surrounding women and child abuse in South Africa.

During the 16 Days of Activism period, CWSA will also participate with the Department of Local & Provincial Government in "DON'T LOOK AWAY", a powerful two-handed play written & directed by Jerry Mofokeng, which will tour South Africa over the 16 Days of Activism period from November 25-December 11.

Starring well-known stage & screen actors Coco Merckel and Esmeralda Bijl, "DON'T LOOK AWAY" has been devised for production in both small and larger venues and aims to engage audiences through compelling story-lines and powerful dialogue.

The success of CSWA's Isolabantwana programme is measured by the decrease in numbers of children entering the welfare system.

"Our main aim is family reunification through counseling," says CWSA Western Cape Director Trix Marais. "The biggest problem in our communities is domestic violence and alcoholism but because initial support is provided by a community member - perhaps someone who even knows the family - we are able to overcome the majority of situations brought to our attention.

"Seventy eight percent of our cases are successful, which means less cases end up in court or the welfare system."

And sometimes the greatest gift of all belongs to the care-givers themselves.

Says volunteer Lerato Nchebisang: "If you were to ask me who I was six months ago, I would have given you my name. Ask me now and I can proudly say I am a mother, sister, daughter and a future leader. I cannot imagine the world without my input - to help make this world a better and safer place for children."

Isolabantwana is but one of the national programmes of the Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA), South Africa's largest children's NGO which provides an umbrella for numerous member organizations & affiliates as well as over 200 of its own branches staffed by social workers and voluntary workers

http://www.childwelfaresa.org.za/

ENDS