Keeping kids safe
2008-05-30 13:51
Cape Town - Sunday marked International day for Missing Children, and South Africa dedicated 26 May to 1 June as National Child Protection week.
According to Missing Children South Africa, around 1 500 children go missing in South Africa every year and up to 2 000 children are murdered. In figures released by Interpol, South Africa has one of the highest rape statistics in the world - 117 cases per 100 000 of its population, and of the victims 40% are children.
Founder of Missing Children, Pieter Boshoff, spoke to News24 about the battle to keep South Africa's children safe.
1) How did Missing Children start?
In February 2007 a seven-year-old girl in Pretoria, Sheldean Human, disappeared. Right in the beginning before the story was in the newspapers, I was contacted by Sheldean's aunt who wanted me to help get the little girl's picture out there. We decided to register the www.missingchildren.co.za domain and publish photos and information on Sheldean.
We launched the organisation that day 9 March 2007 at the gates of Parliament. The very same day Anestacia Wiese, an 11-year-old girl from Mitchell's Plain, disappeared.
2) What are some of the greatest challenges?
Our biggest challenge is getting the information out fast enough. We know that the first 24 hours is the most important time when a child has gone missing. The other big challenge is to get information, like photographs from families, in poorer communities.
3)What have your successes been?
We were involved with over 200 children that have been recovered. Huisgenoot/You has published pictures of old cases and we got responses.
4) What have the highlights been for your personally?
If I have to think of one case that touched my heart the most it is difficult. From 10-year-old Londiwe Nzimande who was missing in KwaZulu-Natal for a week, to little three-year-old Velapi whom we found. It was just great to be part of these people's lives. I have made some lifelong friendships with parents whose children we have helped find.
Finding a child and handing the child back to a parent is a very emotional and highly rewarding blessing to get. Each case that ends well is truly a highlight.
5) Has your model been copied elsewhere?
We are busy opening offices in Pretoria and in Durban. We have very special people who will work from these offices: people with a lot of experience and a lot of caring
6) Tell me about the volunteer team.
Currently we have nearly 2 000 registered volunteers on www.missingchildren.co.za. When a child disappears we e-mail and SMS our volunteers, informing them that a child went missing in their area and telling them how they can help. In one case a child disappeared and I got over 50 calls offering help in an hour. People can register as a volunteer by going to our website.
7) What can the public do to help?
Register as a volunteer and then get a Child Profile kit for your child.
The kit contains everything that you will need in case your child goes missing. The child will also be registered on the Pro Kids Database run by the South African Centre for Missing and Exploited children.
8) Do you think South Africa can turn its alarming statistics around?
Yes!!! I truly believe in South Africa and South Africans. We have seen countless times how quick South Africans open their hearts to others. We just need to stand together and put our children first. Twenty four thousand children being abused, 2 000 children being murdered and 950 children missing right now is unacceptable.