UOC and SAVETHEM in a well-planned joint operation accompanied and assisted a counter-human trafficking awareness event that was held by Dept Social Development, (The empowerment division of DSD) in Mpumalanga. Various stakeholders, government officials of different departments and private sector representatives were present.
The parties involved were:
Department of Justice; Department of Labour; Department of Home Affairs; TCM; SAPS; CPF; TGME; YORK; Bread of Life; Taxi Association; Association for Traditional Healers and local pastors.
The initiative was targeting the lower income sectors of Mpumalanga by a door-to-door blitz to educate the community and create awareness about the dangers of trafficking in person and human trafficking. Six Hundred households were visited by the delegation. Men, women and children and the elderly were encouraged to report suspicious action, strangers infiltrating their community, and other illicit happenings that are taking place.
The community was assured that there are reliable, trustworthy entities like UOC, SAVETHEM and the different government departments they can approach for help and report incidents.
“The general public is unaware of the actual dynamics of human trafficking. Sometimes the only understanding they have, is when you are kidnapped or abducted, hidden in a container and shipped off to be sold”, explained Sam from SAVETHEM.
Therefore, the community members were informed about the traps and set-ups the traffickers used to deceive them and thereby enslave them and eventually sell them.
Sponsored Teddies were given to children which comfort them and brought them a sense of “I matter” . This gesture was well received by the children and further strengthened their trust to share vital information with the social workers.
A little boy, taken care by his granny after his mum died tragically, couldn’t speak after her death due to severe trauma but when he held his teddy, his face beamed and he shouted, “It’s free! The teddy is free, and it’s mine.”
The event and the heartfelt care that came with it, had incredible results as the community felt their humanity was recognized, they were cared for and alerted to the dangers of human trafficking and trafficking in persons. The initiative will roll out in other areas in South Africa later.
Contact:
SAVETHEM: https://savethem.org/
Unchain Our Children: National Crisis Centre: 067 323 7116
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