Latest news with #SparrowTrust
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Athlone Park Clinic and co uplift the community
PATIENTS at Athlone Park Clinic were educated and empowered on a number of vital topics as part of the clinic's annual open day programme on July 25. Also read: Amanzimtoti CPF empowers community Role players that stepped in to offer a helping hand included the Amanzimtoti CPF, Sparrow Trust, the National Prosecuting Authority, and Amanzimtoti police. Clinic staff went into depth on topics such as HIV/Aids, the importance of using contraceptives, tuberculosis and other diseases. They also informed people how to prevent certain health-related issues in the long term, thereby avoiding the need for chronic medication once such ailments worsen. For example, to prevent high cholesterol, cut down on oil, or to stave off diabetes, limit sugar intake. Merlene Matthews, Amanzimtoti CPF chairperson, touched on World Drowning Prevention Day, which fell on the clinic's open day, harkening back to a near drowning at Warner Beach. She advised attendees of the open day to steer clear of non-bathing beaches. Amanzimtoti CPF PRO and founding director of Sparrow Trust, Estelle van Eeden, advised on cyber safety. She touched on novel and common cybercrime South Africans fall prey to, as well as warning signs to look out for during any online interactions, and where to report such encounters. The pair also brightened the day of little ones by handing out little plush animals to them. Also read: eThekwini commits to engaging Lower Illovo residents 'It is an awareness event as it is information the community doesn't have access to. This is a very proactive clinic in terms of how it empowers the community,' said Van Eeden. NPA senior prosecutor Nokukhanya Gcwabaza explained maintenance laws to the public, their right to access to court, and which documents they need to bring when making an application for maintenance. 'Contrary to popular belief, maintenance does not end when a child is 18 years old, but when they are fully self-sufficient. I did my best to empower the public on spousal maintenance, the civil remedies if there is a breach of a protection order, area maintenance and jurisdiction,' said Gcwabaza. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- The Citizen
Fighting human trafficking and empowering the community in Ezimangweni
IN A BID to combat human trafficking and online exploitation, and Sparrow Trust joined forces to raise awareness among mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers in Ezimangweni, just outside Amanzimtoti. Also read: World Day against Trafficking in Persons: Rescuing victims of human trafficking Estelle van Eeden, founder of Sparrow Trust, leads the charge through prevention and awareness initiatives, emphasising that education and empowerment are key to protecting vulnerable individuals from becoming victims. 'An informed community is a safer community. Perpetrators are less likely to target communities that can spot the red flags, know reporting procedures, and have safety networks in place. They know the risk of being exposed is much higher,' said Van Eeden. While Sparrow Trust typically holds social crime prevention safety sessions in schools, Van Eeden stressed the importance of engaging parents, caregivers, senior citizens, and the broader community, noting that exploitation and trafficking are crimes that can affect anyone, regardless of age or circumstance. 'We often think these crimes happen in big cities, to 'other' families, to people from specific socio-economic backgrounds, but this thinking makes it easy for us to put on blinders and ignore the crimes happening right next door or in our neighbourhoods, such as forced child-begging, domestic servitude, and the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, to name a few,' she said. In South Africa, women and children are the most vulnerable because perpetrators of human trafficking and online exploitation prey on the hopes and dreams of people, often those seeking better living conditions, job opportunities, or love. Also read: Snare Aware receives stark reminder of poaching The Sparrow Trust team is working on translating their resource material into isiZulu, which Van Eeden said will increase the reach of the safety messaging. Debbie West of said it is essential that these awareness workshops are shared with all communities so they are aware of the harm that exists. 'We need to protect our children as well as the community at large. We live in challenging times where life is difficult, and villains seek to exploit their malicious intentions against the vulnerable. We welcome and value these workshops,' said West. Suspicions of human trafficking can be anonymously reported to the South African Human Trafficking Hotline on 0800 222 777 or to SAPS Crime Stop on 10 111. Uninvited media content received online can be reported to CyberTipLine@ or report explicit and sexually inappropriate content of children to the Films and Publications Board via their website For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
