Posted by Swellengram
Next time you come across a begging child or adult on the streets, ignore your instinct and don’t give them anything. You’re only feeding the problem instead of creating a sustainable solution to the problem.
Let’s end it!
Giving directly to begging children is both a form of child labour, whilst also encourages a culture of begging in our community. The people of Swellendam are working together across all areas to provide a safe environment for both the children and families at risk as well as the visitors and residents of our beautiful town.
PIPping this problem at the post
In Swellendam, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been established to create opportunities for vulnerable families and children. These NGOs heavily rely on donations to sustain their efforts, as they play a crucial role in preventing the escalation of problems and supporting those at risk. Their initiatives include:
These efforts contribute significantly to the well-being of the community.
Have a look through some of the following – rather than handing over money to a kid who looking at you with pitiful eyes – think of the bigger picture and donate more thoughtfully.
Bethel Farm assists in creating work opportunities, providing skills training and supporting school attendance. Run by a remarkable young woman, Debra-Leigh Mohle, who humbly works tirelessly and humbly to support even the most hopeless of cases.
An inter departmental and multi-professional CPU (Child Protection Unit) has been established
We must ensure the safety of those seeking money and food on the streets. While some are genuinely hungry, others may be vulnerable to exploitation by gangs and drug dealers. Identifying who is in need can be challenging. Additionally, we need to protect residents and visitors from harassment or threats, as opportunistic individuals realize that easy targets are no longer available.
SWELLENDAM SAFE is an admirable initiative led by guesthouse and restaurant owners in Swellendam. Their mission is to ensure the safety of both visitors and local residents during leisure activities. Here’s how it works: two rangers patrol the tourist area, maintaining vigilance and promptly alerting the South African Police Service (SAPS) and security companies if any potential issues arise. It’s heartening to see such collaborative efforts to create a safer environment for everyone!
If you are a visitor to town and you think that this is a valuable way to approach the problem of harassment, please talk to your guesthouse owner or restaurant manager to find out how to contribute.
If you ever need safety advice while in Swellendam, remember to go to the nearest safe and public place. You can call the Police Emergency Number (10111) from a landline or dial 112 from your mobile phone to be connected to the appropriate emergency service.
Donating food or cash to a local organisation who can distribute to those in genuine immediate need – and who can also identify social issues and seek the necessary support for those who need protection or rehabilitation
Here’s how you can give responsibly:
DONATE TO ONE OF THE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS :
WHO ARE PROVIDING A VARIETY OF
DONATE A FOOD PARCEL
Drop off food items at CAP Swellendam Kanon Street, Swellendam, 6740, Swellendam, South Africa
Make a cash deposit to CAP at Nedbank; Cheque Acc #106 083 2126
OR
Use your banking app and scan the QR code below to make a direct deposit into CAP’s bank account (QR Code on poster).
CAP will distribute bulk food donations to local soup kitchens.
HOW TO REPORT AGGRESSIVE “STREET” CHILDREN:
• CAP: 028 514 1025; 34 Voortrek St, Swellendam
• Law Enforcement: 079 501 3339
• SAPS: 028 514 8100; 02 Rhenius St, Swellendam
Enquiries: 028 514 8500 / info@swellenmun.co.za
As charity begins at home so does safety too…
ORIGINAL ARTICLE from August 2021 by a Swellendam Resident.
Currently in Swellendam there are several groups of children at risk that are causing havoc amongst local businesses, especially in the tourism areas where they target visitors.
Unfortunately in Swellendam, the problem has grown exponentially – unsupervised young children – as young as seven or eight – approaching people and asking for money or food. Being a big softie, I find it extremely hard to ignore their pleas. One afternoon I sat for a couple of hours outside a local restaurant watching them operate. What an organised bunch they were! The entrepreneurial skills they showed – the people skills – the knowledge of their own irresistible charms…
They seemed very self-confident – at times persistent and even quite aggressive. But they are neither criminals, nor dangerous individuals, only children at risk, lost in a confused society, especially during these unfortunate, unpredictable and unprecedented times we all face, not only here in Swellendam, but in Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa and the world as a whole too.
On two separate occasions I watched as they were removed by police and warned off by a local security company. It seemed to me that, to the kids, this actually was part of the adventure – ducking and running and laughing.
I felt a range of emotions…..
Anger (at their parents, the government, society and the kids themselves).
Sadness (for them being exposed and neglected by their parents).
Confusion (why aren’t they at school? Who is responsible for them?).
Frustration (why isn’t anybody DOING anything?)
Helplessness (How can I help? What can I do?)
One thing is sure – do not respond to their pleas by giving them anything.
Not money, toys, sweets, or even healthy food. Sounds harsh? The only thing you will achieve is to make yourself feel better and them dependent on diverted attention.
It’s not helpful to give children (doesn’t matter how young they are) in the street anything at all – to be precise, you’re only contributing to a more complex and bigger problem as it is. You are keeping the cycle of poverty, co-dependency alive – even worse you could be contributing to one of the main factors that causes devastation in the poorer communities – drug dependency.
By giving to street kids, we are keeping them poor for the rest of their lives. Children who actually have the possibility to go to school think it’s better to work on the streets, because they actually get (better) food and they get money. Even their own parents send them on the streets, because they see that their kid is bringing in a lot of cash by begging. This also means that they are more vulnerable to criminal activities and organised crime, By giving money to children on the streets, we are often funding people that are forcing those kids to beg in the first place, from parents to criminals and druggies too.
Many street children at risk exhibit behavioural problems such as, aggression and substance abuse issues, but these are coping mechanisms of children who are in a great deal of psychological pain due to emotional neglect and lack of parental support and supervision.
Many of the kids have been abandoned, orphaned, chronically neglected, physically, sexually and mentally abused, or are exploited by others to beg and borrow for commercial exploitation amongst other things.
How you CAN help
It feels really bad to ignore a child that is asking you to help him or her, especially when they look worn down and hungry. Luckily, however there are other ways you can help than by giving them what they ask for.
• Build positive relationships with children on the street, they need our support, care, genuine concern and protection.
• Gently encourage such children to return safely home, adhere to traffic and road safety rules and regulations to benefit all.
• Do not ignore them, report such children (under the age of 16) to your nearest police station or to your local Department of Social Development office. By law DSD and SAPS must respond to any children living, working or begging on the street. Follow up, by law anyone may fill out a Form 22 to report a child living, working or begging on the street to DSD. By law churches, religious pastors & ministers, teachers and the like MUST report such children according to the correct protocol. When contacting authorities, the best is always to follow it up with official affidavit at SAPS with place of incidents, types of misdemeanor, names of children and their home address to allow authorities to act decisively and appropriately. Remember, according to the CHILDREN’s ACT and latest POPI ACT it is unlawful to distribute photos of children on any social media platforms or groups.
• Do not move or take these children home or to your home. Only designated social workers and the police may remove a child without parental consent. It is also illegal to transport such children without a valid PDP (Professional Drivers Permit).
• .Support professional and comprehensive intervention services for street children
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20120105-ethical-traveller-giving-money-to-street-kids
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