Our Clients

50% of South African children live below the poverty line, where their very basic needs are not met.

“We are concerned about the unacceptably high severity of child abuse and neglect. Children are left alone unattended by parents who are addicted to alcohol and drugs. This is while threats and risk of sexual abuse is more prevalent at home now more than on the streets.”  Sharna Fernandez, MEC for Social Development

Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. It does not discriminate and it is pervasive throughout the world.

Effects of trauma can include a variety of responses, such as intense and ongoing emotional upset, anxiety, depression, behavioural changes, difficulties with self-regulation, problems relating to others or forming attachments, regression or loss of previously acquired skills, attention and academic difficulties, nightmares, difficulty sleeping and eating, and physical symptoms, such as aches and pains. Older children may use drugs or alcohol, behave in risky ways, or engage in unhealthy sexual activity.

Traumatic stress impacts mental health and well-being. Adult survivors of traumatic events may also have difficulty in establishing fulfilling relationships and maintaining employment.  Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Learners and their caregivers are the drivers of this change, not the therapists.  The obvious benefits of this model are dignity, independence and the principle of “communities uplifting themselves”.

“It is worrying that children are becoming perpetrators, this reflects the nature of the violent society we live in.  If we don’t act now to correct this, then the circle of violence will continue for generations to come.  We need to deal with the issue of violence in our society holistically from the home setting to the school setting.” Litlhare Radebe, Save the Children SA advocacy manager