We are the child's protector
“There can be no keener revelation of society’s soul than the way it treats it’s children”
Nelson Mandela 

As I write this the South Africa Human Rights Commission is poised to investigate the alleged failure by government to implement the National Child Protection Register. Highly regarded by many child protection advocates, this register is a requirement stipulated in our much-applauded Children’s Act and is aimed at helping keep children safe from physical and sexual abuse and the potential abusers. Four years later...still no protection offered. 

Perhaps this latest set-back in legislation is a poignant reminder that legal acts, frameworks and registers do not protect children: we do. You and I. The man on the street, the neighbour, friend, granny, aunt, uncle and brother. 

We are called to stand up to violence and abuse. Not because we are legislated to, but because it’s right.

“Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me” Jesus, Matt 25 v40

This week the Children’s Institute (www.ci.org.za) released their annual snap-shot of the state of children in South Africa - Child Gauge 2013. The sad summary: “South Africa is not a good place for children”. 

With inequality between rich and poor growing steadily, our children will face dire consequences in the future. Presently 58% of children under 9 years live below the poverty line with an adult earning less than R604 (55 Euro) /month. Of the 18,5 million children in the country, 20% are orphaned, 24% are not living with their parents and 740 000 are living in child-headed homes. 

Right now, Beautiful Gate is expanding our community child care and family preservation services into 2014 to reach more children in these situations. amazingly, half of all our parents attending our parental training are already caring for children not their own. They have informally taken responsibility for children in their street or community needing a safe home. They are the hero’s! But they need help. 

We are excited to be able to partner with them and we hope that together, we can make South Africa safe for children! Thank you for joining with us to do just that!