By training Sunday school teachers to run a child abuse prevention programme, 1000 children learn that their body is special, how to say no, and who to turn to if they feel uncomfortable. Jerry the Giraffe is invited to visit the group for ten sessions, and through teaching fun songs and activities and using bible stories, the children learn to protect themselves.
South Africa has very high levels of child abuse, one of the highest of any country not at war. Most cases of child abuse are from someone known to the child.
This programme seeks to use the safe space created in a Sunday School class to teach ten sessions. Starting with the fact that God made us and our bodies are special, the course then looks at feelings, 'private parts' and how to say no. The children also learn how to identify a safe person to tell if they feel uncomfortable and about good and bad secrets. The Sunday school teachers also learn about child abuse, and have a referral system they can send potential cases to.
This programme will assist 1000 children to learn the skills they need to help protect them from child abuse by a person they know.
Fikelela AIDS Project