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Childline Western Cape’s annual
Children’s day was held on 1 November 2007 at
Harvester Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain.
The main reason we targeted the Mitchell’s Plain
area is because we have recently opened a Childline
centre in Lentegeur that offers counselling to
children between the ages of 3 to 17 years, for
sexual abuse, rape, bereavement and grief. We
also offer court preparation as well as trauma
debriefing for any kind of trauma. In addition,
we have a community development worker who presents
Prevention and Awareness Workshops to learners,
focusing on the topic of sexual abuse. So it seemed
appropriate to celebrate our children’s day in
that community.
Working with the grades 1, 2 and 3 of the school,
there were about 300 very enthusiastic children
present! The day started with a welcome by Ricki
Fransman, Childline manager, and thereafter the
police presented a workshop that focused on their
role in the community and the safety of children.
The community Health Care Workers presented a
talk on health care, and then Wally 107 provided
the Children with pens, colouring books, key rings
etc. The Emergency Response Services came to the
school with an ambulance and talked to the children
about their role in the community as well as about
the way to get hold of them, and the importance
of children knowing if their parents have any
medical problems so that they can relay this to
the medical personnel if they are ever called
to a scene. They also showed the children how
to put on a neck brace and leg bandage and the
children were allowed to have a look inside the
ambulance.
The fire brigade also joined in the day showing
the children a fire engine and telling them about
safety and things to do when they are in a fire.
They also showed the children the fire uniform,
as well as all the different kinds of hoses used
for different fires.
One of the themes throughout the day was each
presenter highlighting the importance of children
knowing and remembering their telephone numbers
and addresses.
Childline presented their Prevention and Awareness
workshop, with a focus on body safety, good and
uncomfortable touches and good and bad secrets
as well as on teaching the children the Childline
toll free number and explaining how this service
works.
The day ended with drumming from the Drumming
Café.
LifeLine/Childline would like to thank everybody
involved in this day, especially the local businesses
from the Mitchell’s Plain area who made donations
that allowed us to provide lunch and goodie bags
for all the children.
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