THANK YOU VODACOM!

On Friday, 12 June, Vodacom officially handed over the first of 2000 comfort packs for child abuse victims in the Western Cape. The donation handed over by Vodacom representative Priscilla Damane to Commissioner Petros.

The comfort pack project in the Western Cape is a combined effort between Friends of Child Protection (who will also pack and distribute the packs for MAB), You Magazine and MAB. Each of these groups will supply packs for various age groups. Once again a great example on how communities, NGO and companies can work together to help others!

CONGRATULATIONS MAB STUDENTS!

Annemarie Voster (Sanlam), Leonore Louw (Reach Africa), Commissioner Petros, Monique Strydom, Carol Van Der Rheede (HCI Foundation) and FCS Commanders














Leonore Louw (Reach Africa), Commissioner Petros, Monique Strydom, Carol Van Der Rheede (HCI Foundation) and SAPS Cluster Commanders













Annemarie Voster (Sanlam), Commissioner Petros, Monique Strydom, Carol Van Der Rheede (HCI Foundation) and FCS Constables

On Friday, 12 June, close to a hundred proud SAPS FCS members received their certificates for training done by MAB. During the awards ceremony, Commissioner Petros, “joined” the MAB team, by calling himself a part of the MAB family. He also recognised the important work MAB is doing in assisting child abuse victims. During the last year MAB trained more than 100 police officers in the Western Cape. This training included Child Protection Protocols, various soft skills (like conflict management and client service) and mentorship courses. The group included a broad spectrum of the WC police force, from student constables to top WC SAPS management. The value of this training is estimated to be close to a million Rand. The officers will now be able to use these skills not only to investigate crimes, but also to mentor other officers and share valuable knowledge.

We would like to thank Sanlam and Santam for sponsoring the event and our main training sponsors for this training possible:

NYANGA FCS SERVED!

Hanlie sharing about God's love. Two men from two worlds becoming brothers!

A very special visit took place at Nyanga FCS two weeks ago. The home cell group of Burger VD Merwe (Familia Christi) who adopted this unit, not only “served” the members with great snacks, but they also "served" spiritual support. Hanlie Marais shared a powerful message about God’s love and their calling to protect our children and help our abused children. The rest of the morning Hanlie and the group spent ministering to individual members. It was indeed a blessed morning, not only for the members, but also to those who served them!

CHILDREN SHOW SUPPORT

On Tuesday, 27 May 2009, the children of Dwergieland Nursery School were proud to participate and show their support during child protection week for abused, orphaned, vulnerable and abandoned children. Antonie of the SAPS Dog Unit was there to offer some entertainment and demonstration of the behaviour of the dogs they train.

After the demonstration the children moved on to the Piazza, Clear Water Mall, where they performed the Green Ribbon ceremony and threw coins in the centre of the ribbon to show support for abused children. They completed their morning with breakfast at Café Fino.

We would like to thank our sponsors of the day: Clear Water Mall, Café Fino, King Pie (Clear Water Mall) and SAPS.

A comforting comfort pack story

This office would like to sent our honest appreciation for the Vodacom comfort packs.
On Monday I have a 9 year old victim in a sexual assault case here in Malmesbury.

The girl was not in the mood to speak out neither being part of a long and boaring questioning session. The shy girl was only hope for the ending of our discussion to go home and I remember of our comfort packs.

I took out the Vodacom one and put it on my table.I think she knew this parcel have something to do with her. The girl respond to my questions,she sort of awake from her sleep and the bad experience.

She opened the bag,have a good look into it as if she cannot believe all is her’s. She told me the experience she has at the school,we make contact with the other children,we even have an
interview with the schoolprincipal and complete my investigation within 3 hours. The suspect was a 9 year old boy at the same school and was dealt with by the school authorites and the who visit the school the next day.

The community of Abbotsdale was shocked of the incident but praise the investigation officer by impress the victim.

Thank you Matla Abana and Vodacom for your help.


D/INSP. W ARENDSE
FCS MALMESBURY

Vodacom Comfort Pack Project

The culmination of Matla a Bana's (MAB) Child Protection Week (25 May 2009- 01 June 2009) ended with the of Launch Vodacom Comfort Pack project on 01 June 2009. Vodacom Foundation donated more than R 400 000 to MAB for the production of comfort packs to be handed to child-victims when they report crimes at SAPS. These packs contain immediate comfort goods like a soft toy, refreshments, soap and cloth, sanitary pads etc.

MAB would like to thank the volunteers of the day and also Yebo Heroes of the Vodacom Foundation.

SERVICE OF HOPE AND BLESSING

Luc & Ninah tying the green ribbons

On 31 May 2009 a special Service of Hope and Blessing was hosted at Gardens Presbyterian Church.  During this service three candles were lit by VIP guest, Commissioner Ntobela, one for the children of the world, one for the children of South Africa and the Western Cape and one for all those people who work to protect them. After the service guests took part in a Green Ribbon Ceremony, during which green ribbons and prayers were tied to trees and fences in the street.

 

This service was a joint initiative of Friends of Child Protection, Connect Network and Matla A Bana, in celebration of Child Protection Week.

Doctors and police celebrate

Congratulations!!!

FCS Detectives with VIP guest, Commissioner Ntobela

Child Protection Week brought more celebrations when the doctors and police officers who recently completed the Forensic Medical Examination Course received their certificates. MAB hosted this course in April for doctors of the Paarl Hospitals and FCS members to assist them to understand the forensic examination of rape and abuse victims better.

We would like to thank Dr Tromp Els, Adv Mark Kenny, Dr Jacobus Louw and our sponsors, HCI Foundation, AVIS, Oude Herberg and Lorraine Feuw Interiors for making this possible!

A Calendar day with Bosch

Above: Cornelius Bosch with Deon Roux(Business man)

For those who had the privilege to be at Clear Water Mall on the weekend of 23 May 2009, would have been proud to see Cornelius Bosch display his art work on his Birth day. This happened during the day at the piazza by the CNA entrance. He was there along with his Mother (82) showing support to the malls adopted charity Matla a Bana.

Matla a Bana (MAB) was there to exhibit and also selling their Child’s Rights calendars and key rings to raise funds and awareness for the work they do with Child protection week from 26 May 2009 to 01 June 2009. The calendar was launched in December and show cases the artwork of 12 artists, including Bosch, donated to this specific project.

Lynette from Art Window supplied the exhibitors with 3 of the most beautiful chairs and a Persian carpet to complete their little spot. Hansie Hofmann of the Meat Co sponsored a meal for Bosch and his mom. Deon Roux, owner of the furniture shop in Clearwater and Classic Baroque Flowers, showed his support to Matla a Bana and has now joined the ranks and become a friend of MAB.

Life saver!

Let me tell you one thing about working for charity – it is beyond challenging! You have to make budgets meet with no funding, you have to help people without having the resources and saying NO to anyone in need is not remotely an option. Well, what makes up for all those challenges are the moments when you discover the greatness of a kind and good heart. When amazing people appear from nowhere ready to save your day!

Last week it was the Welgemoed Community who came together to help four abused children. Today it was Pieter (Cape Garden Centre) who came to the rescue. Mr Price Kids Store in Canal Walk donated more than R 70 000 worth of goods to MAB. When we arrived there (with our little vehicles), we realised how much you can buy for R 70 000! We were stuck with no storage space and a without any means to move the goods! But it took one phone call and Pieter, not only offered one of his trucks, but also warehouse space!

A very special thank you to Pieter and his staff for making our day!

Monique Strydom

Giant green ribbons hit Wynberg!

Photo supplied by : Die Burger

MAB WC was privileged to attend the first of many “Go Green for our children” ceremonies in the Western Cape. Primary school, Simon Van Der Stel (Wynberg) was the first school to host a special ceremony in celebration of child protection week. This was followed by the tying of giant green ribbons around trees as a visual reminder of our children at risk and our responsibility to protect all children.

We would like to thank Mr Jacques Pratt, staff and children of Simon Van Der Stel Primary School for taking part, the media who covered the event and the Child Protection Unit Steenberg for your valuable contribution.

Help! We need offices or storage facilities

MAB WC urgently needs storage space (or new offices) for all the fantastic donations we are receiving. If you have an office or space in Belville/Durbanville area, please contact us on matlawc@mweb.co.za.

Wear a green ribbon this week!

In SOUTH AFRICA a green ribbon represents the hidden bruises and scars which are carried by abused children for a lifetime. We would like to encourage all South Africans to wear a green ribbon this week to celebrate Child Protection week.

By wearing a green ribbon we hope:

• to create awareness of the high incidence of child abuse in our communities
• to make the community, all parents, child educators and carers aware of child abuse that may be taking place in their own environments.
• to encourage them to familiarise themselves with the signs of abuse and the steps they should take in those circumstances, where to go to report the crime and where to go for help.

Abused children need our love, care and support.
We, as a nation, need to unite behind them to
SAY NO TO CHILD ABUSE
SAY YES TO CHILD PROTECTION!

Thank you Welgemoed Community!

On Friday, 22 May 2009, MAB WC received a request from Delft Child Protection Unit to assist with securing food and clothing for four children who were removed from a dangerous situation. These children had no clothing and the place of safety not enough food to feed them. An email was sent out to a small group of indivuduals in the Welgemoed Community and within hours, bags of food and clothing were delivered to our office.
We would like to thank all these individuals for caring and making a difference where it is most needed!

Child Protection Week – Art Workshop for Child Protectors

CREATIVE COPS!!!

MAB Gauteng kicked off Child Protection Week by hosting a relaxing art workshop for nine senior members of the Child Protection Units and community sponsors. Although the aim of the workshop was to enhance creative thinking, this breakaway session also motivated and inspired the members.
We would like to thank the sponsors of the day – Alice Art Gallery, The Green Bean Roastery, President Hyper.