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 Quo Vadis Communications on a field trip to KwaZulu Natal for client, Siyazisiza Trust.

Victoria Makalima, assistant Director for the Johnson and Johnson Burn Treatment Centre (left) and Roger Crawford, Executive Director, Worldwide Government Affairs and Policy for Johnson & Johnson (back right) happily assisted Nurse Ester Manson and clinical officer William Kalua from Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi throughout their two-week specialised training session at the Burn Treatment Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The training took place as a result of a public private partnership between the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johnson & Johnson, and the University of North Carolina in USA. The hospital in Malawi recently opened a burn unit and the hands-on training Ester and William received at the leading burn treatment centre in Africa, will no doubt make a huge difference in the lives of those in need.

Date of release: 24 May 2011

Children in South Africa grow up in surroundings where they are exceptionally vulnerable to injuries, both deliberate and accidental and are the most vulnerable to human trafficking.

According to Major Marieke Venter, the chairperson of the Moral and Social Issues Council of The Salvation Army, issues surrounding child trafficking and child exploitation for purposes of prostitution, forced labour, and muti-related crimes must be dealt with swiftly.

“Children are preyed upon in various ways and are literally tricked into going somewhere with their traffickers, and subsequently held against their will,” she said.

Addressing care givers working at The Salvation Army Children’s Homes around Johannesburg with regard to the dangers South African children face, Venter urged South Africans to celebrate The National Child Protection Week (23 – 29 May 2011) by sharing the responsibility to ensure that children are protected from abuse and vulnerability always.

“We must also use this week to learn more about how we can help to stop child-directed abuse and violence,” she added. “By shielding children from harm, we are protecting the future of South Africa, doing what is our responsibility.”
Venter told the care givers that they have the necessary skills required to enhance the care received by these neglected babies and children by making sure that they get the treatment both physically and emotionally that they need.

In an effort to improve education and give disadvantaged children the opportunity of a better future, The Salvation Army operates a number of crèches and day care centres across the country which also provides teaching facilities for the children as opposed to a simple child-minding facility.

In addition, The Salvation Army’s work with children includes homes for babies and children with HIV/Aids, shelters for the homeless, emergency services, feeding schemes, centres for abused women and children and community development projects. Those affected by AIDS and their families are offered care and counselling.

Last changed: Jul 17 2011 at 1:53 PM