Spinning for Matla A Bana

Police in the Honeydew precinct commemorated Child Protection Week by participating in a spin-a-thon to raise funds for charity.

About 380 police members participated in the five-hour event on a rotation basis where they also raised funds for the Matla-a-Bana charity project.

Honeydew police spokesman, Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs said, "The spin-a-thon was incorporated as part of our social responsibility in conjunction with the Fitness and Wellness programme initiated by General Bheki Cele.

"The main aim was to ensure our members' fitness while contributing towards making a difference to child protection. We collected boxes of donations which we handed to the charity."

Cluster commander, Major General Oswald Reddy thanked participating members and encouraged them to treat child victims with empathy and support. A minute of silence was observed in memory of children who have been or are victims of abuse.

-Ayanda Buthelezi

Join us for Child Protection Week

Matla A Bana, Friends of Child Protection and Connect Network is calling all churches, schools, companies and South Africans to join our Christian response to Child Abuse during Child Protection Week.

Child Protection Week will be celebrated from 23 – 29 May 2011 and on 5 June it is the World Wide Day of Prayer for Children at Risk.

We appeal to you to join this Christian response by:
· Hosting a Service of Hope and Blessing.
· Dedicating a part of your service, assembly time or daily staff meeting to the Green Ribbon Candle Ceremony.
· Wearing a green ribbon.

For more information on how you can take part go to http://www.matlaabana.co.za/

CAPE EPIC SPONSORS

Thank you to the following companies for supporting Francois and Dirkie by donating funds to MAB!

Anti Corruption Conference

THANK YOU ROMAN'S PIZZA

Thank you to Bonnie and the Roman's Pizza group for donating yet another 100 Comfort Packs in Gauteng and offering to do many more during April!

MAB in the Cape Epic

MAB Cape Epic Supporter - Enge Coetzer!

This year Matla A Bana will be presented at the Cape Epic by Team SENEKAL ALLEN. We would like to wish Francios Coetzer and Dirkie van der Merwe all of the best with this great challenge. And also thank them for profiling the abuse against our children. We are behind you 100%! May you have a great cycle!

Training - medical doctors

On 3 & 4 February Matla a Bana in Gauteng was buzzing! It was finally time to train the doctors in the province on how to do a medical examination on child-abuse and rape victims. Cariena Coetzee of the NPA and Dr Tromp Els Forensic Specialist were the presenters of a two day training on FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND EXPERT WITNESSING! 27 Delegates attended this unique training! 8 FCS commanders, 1 Journalist, 1 Social Worker, 4 Forensic Nurses and 13 Doctors! The feedback was EXCELLENT and enquiries have been made for the next training of this standard!! Matla a Bana would like to thank Old Mutual Foundation, Roodepoort Townlodge and Mosaiek Church for your loyal support. Together we can make a huge difference in the prevention of secondary abuse and ensuring much better conviction rates by educating our Doctors and other professionals!

National Adoption

Intercape Bus Service has will be adopting various FCS on a national level. The staff of this company will personally become involved with this adoption. This adoption will result on a national reach and we looking forward to this working relationship.

Khayelitsha FCS Unit to receive support

A home cell group from Vredelust Congregation will be supporting this unit by supplying comfort packs to the child abuse victims. Welcome to all our new volunteers!

Kraaifontein FCS Adopted

We are very happy to announce that the Durbanville Congregation has adopted the Kraaifontein FCS. The group paid a visit to the unit and the members received a very special message from well-known pastor, Gary Kieswietter. The group was joined by Old Mutual sponsor, Renee Palmer. The church is planning not only to provide spiritual support to the members, but also to assist with comfort packs!

MAB launched 16 Days of Activism with an Police day at Kenmare Laerskool after a request to educate the learners on the importance of the various policing departments and also as a Career! A thousand learners witnessed the police in action! We Salute the police members Fighting crime on a daily basis Serving and Protecting the community and our children.

Thanx to Col Botha of the East Rand Airwing, Lt;Col Caroto Dog Unit West Rand and Capt Hattingh of the East Rand Mounted Unit!

Thank you once again!

Thank you to Frank Olsen and his team for making a further donation of R 33 000 to MAB!

A Special party for special children!

A well-known Cape Town company, 3D X-act chose to host a year end function with a difference. They hosted a special Christmas event for 28 rape and abuse victims. The children, all between the ages 6 – 12 and all from Mitchells Plain were treated to a wonderful Christmas party, complete with sweets, gifts and Father Christmas.

MAB would like to thank 3D X-act, Bugz Playpark, Die Bamboo Restaurant, 027 Shuttle and Everson Konstruksie for creating such special memories for our children.

Roman's Pizzas Comfort Packs

During late afternoon on 4 December, Matla a Bana, with the assistance of Blue Planet and Roman's Pizza group packed 50 Small comfort packs for girls ages 3-8. Staff volunteers worked with great passion and the packs were done in minutes! These packs were collected by Pta Central, Bronkhorstspruit and Garankuwa FCS units. Bonnie and her team was overwhelmed by the thought of packing these packs for young ages and assured MAB they will sponsor more packs in future! The packing team enjoyed Pizza for supper.. Thanx Roman's Pizza!!

Shout comfort packs

On Friday, 26 November, Matla a Bana together with the 94.7 Breakfast Express Team, as a Lead SA innitiativ rised very early to pack 100 Medium Comfort Packs for girls ages 9-12. Very gratefull officers from FCS Units in Gauteng (Vereeniging, Silverton, Sunnyside, Katlehong, Moroka, Benoni, Honeydew. Owitz marketing team also assited MAB with the packing as proud supporters of our project!

Thank you to Shout for making this possible!