NGO SOS Children’s Village Mamelodi victim to theft and vandalism of solar system Vulnerable children put at risk due to rolling power cuts
MAY 2023
Criminals take advantage of South Africa’s power outages. This has been the experience at SOS Children’s Villages in Mamelodi where the solar power system has been stolen this week.
Due to persistent power outages, demand for solar, battery and alternative power solutions is growing.
Criminals take advantage of South Africa’s power outages. This has been the experience at SOS Children’s Villages in Mamelodi where the solar power system has been stolen this week.
Due to persistent power outages, demand for solar, battery and alternative power solutions is growing. The number of roof-mounted solar power systems is increasingly growing, and criminals are targeting even the most vulnerable organisations.
SOS Mamelodi has served the community northeast of Pretoria with compassion since 1985, and has since cared for hundreds of children. The village is currently home to 79 children. These are children in the care of SOS because their own biological families are unable to care for them either as a result of extreme poverty, terminal illness, death, abuse or neglect.
At the village, a family home could have up to eight children of all ages under one roof. In the family homes, full time mothers, aunts lovingly raise children with the support of, social workers, youth care professionals, programme directors, and other village support staff. It is through this child care model that vulnerable children are given a warm home, ensuring that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security.
The organisation calls for support from the community in replacing the power system.
SOS Children’s Villages is a child protection and alternative care organisation.
For more information, go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/
Contact
Seithuto Seakgwa
Seithuto.Seakgwa@sos.org.za
079 122 3332
END.
About SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of South Africa’s marginalised children. We offer loving, family-like care for children and young people who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Established in 1984, SOS has eight Children’s Villages and three Social Centres across eight provinces.
Each year our Alternative Care, Family Strengthening and Youth Employability programmes provide life-changing support to children and families across the country.
The Alternative Care model comprises of four principles that include a mother (each child has a caring parent), brothers and sisters (the family ties grow naturally), a house (a secure place to grow up in) and a village (the SOS family is part of the community).
Our Family Strengthening Programme aims to enable children who are at risk of losing the care of their families to grow within a safe family environment. We work in co-operation with local authorities and other service providers to empower families and communities to effectively protect and care for their children. We care for more than 5000 children and youth across South Africa.
For more information, go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/
Contact
Seithuto Seakgwa
Seithuto.Seakgwa@sos.org.za
079 122 3332