I can’t help it, this PSA for Childline makes me get a bit choked up every time, without fail! I don’t know if it’s the toys, the theme song by Skwatta Kamp or the simplicity of the message behind it, but the whole Kings & Kweens campaign is brilliant. Childline as a service is pretty crucial, and with studies showing that abused children are four times more likely to become abusers themselves not to mention the showing statistics that show that 42% of boys and 43% of girls in the country have experienced abuse before the age of 18, Childline offers a way for abused to children to break the cycle in more ways than one.
In South Africa, being a child is pretty bleak. With AIDS and poverty providing a depressing ‘normalcy’ for so many kids, many kids also have to deal with sexual abuse, violence and rape. A seven year old girl in Piketberg was recently raped in the townships, and my sister and her housemate joined the community effort to raise funds to bring the child back from Tygerberg Hospital for Christmas. She is just one of so many that have to deal with whatever the world throws at them – just like my boys on the streets have had to deal with a mother dead from AIDS, a father who has a long-standing battle with alcoholism and extreme poverty. Having someone to call, and knowing where to get help without the worry of telling a family member who may not believe them is something that could save a life.
Last year my pet project was based around The Homestead, and the Hardened Street Kid campaign, and while I won’t stop supporting this on some level, this year I would like to focus on Childline.
Interested in joining me and doing your bit for this worthy cause? Here are some easy ways to help:
1. SMS ‘child’ to 38079 to donat R10
2. Check out the Wish List to see if you can help
3. Buy a Lotto ticket (National Lottery is a major Childline sponsor)
4. Find Childline on Greater Good SA and see how you can help
5. Make or find a banner to put on your website
Pretty easy really, and if Skwatta Kamp are putting their name and effort behind this campaign, then so can all of us plebs!
Oh Jesus Roxy watching this was hard, the thought that this is happening to so many precious innocent children kills me. What right does an adult have to violate an innocent soul? I’ve posted the link on my FB page for others to see. Good post x
It’s crazy hey – that ad really got to me, going to see what I can do over this next year. Their national manager person is very cool, sent me such a nice thank letter when I emailed her to get banking details.
Will do more posts on this and how to help!