INNOCENCE LOST
Based on a True Story
Innocence Lost as described in our previous blog is a play on Child Trafficking by the National Childrens’s Theatre SA and with the support of ACT Africa was showcased to 23 schools in human trafficking hotspots in and around Gauteng.
The actors from NCT along with ACT Africa travelled daily for the two weeks with such determination, perseverance and heart to showcase the play in order to bring about the much needed and vital Human/Child Trafficking to in excess of four thousand youth from Grade 6 to Grade 12. This was an eye opener for  the youth as well as adults (educators) present and was excellenty received at the schools. Yes, this was not your usual awareness it was done in the form of a theatrical performance which was engaging and impactful. Most of the children at these schools have never seen or been exposed to a Theatrical performance, so whilst this was to bring about awareness it was also a real cultural treat for the children.and this was evident too from their reactions. Going to the theatre for most of them is not even on their agendas due to poverty and not being able to afford to go as well just never being privy to being exposed to just the thought of attending a theatre show and now this was brought to them, to their schools ….An experience the children will not easily forget. https://youtu.be/4tFl9SpADbQ
The experience was bitter sweet . As this much needed awareness was brought, so we could see that what was being showcased – abuse, rape, human trafficking – was a normal way of life for them and accepted as such. Innocence Lost Child Trafficking Awareness play brought about the stark reality that these evils/atrocities plaguing our children, our homes, communities, country and the world at large are not normal but is indeed abnormal, must not be kept quiet and that help is there and this flipped the coin for many. Our first question a young girl asked on our first day was not about the play but ” Where can one get help” ….that is indicative of a possible abusive situation. Everyday day for the two weeks children would ask questions as well as come to ACT Africa for help. Reports from educators following this awareness is that children came to speak to their educators too to ask for help and in all cases the appropriate help was provided. Our Youth are going through sheer hell which no child in their lifetime should experience and being robbed of their childhood/ youth as a result of abuse. They developing survival mechanisms to cope which is resulting in behavioural problems because healing is not taking place. Children should not be developing survival mechanisms to cope with daily life, they should just be children and enjoying their childhood. So the tragedy of abuse coming to the fore was bitter but the sweet was that children now realised that they can and should speak out and ask for help.
The showcasing of Innocence Lost Child Trafficking Awareness play has now ended as well as the Human/Child trafficking awareness it provided due to lack of funding to continue. We have had excellent reports from the public, children, educators and media https://youtu.be/0PMXkd6oOpk https://twitter.com/Abramjee/status/1523373041928925184?t=qWOk63zXcuKDEmxaYQO1Ww&s=08 but whereto from here?… Unless we receive the much needed funding to continue the vital and much needed Awareness and Education to break the cycles of Human Trafficking and Gender-based Violence that question will remain unanswered sadly…
I refer to my previous blog which details statistics and the importance of continued and regular Human Trafficking and Gender-based Violence Awareness and Education in order to break these cycles – https://www.actafrica.org.za/innocence-lost/
We would like to provide Human/Child Trafficking and Gender -based Violence Awareness by taking Innocence Lost Child Trafficking Theatre performance to schools, universiies and wherever else we can throughout South Africa and beyond if possible but cannot do so without Your Help of Funding….
#saveourchildren                                    #endhumantrafficking                                #endchildtrafficking                                     #endchildabuse                               #endgenderbasedviolence                                     #schools                                                    #africa                         #savinglivesthroughawarenessandeducation
“EVIL PREVAILS WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING *
Should you wish to donate to help us fight and break the cycles of these vicious atrocities of Human Trafficking and Gender based Violence especially during these perilous times and far into the future, You will be assisting and enabling us to fulfill our mission to Save Lives Through Awareness and Education.
#Donate today How To Take Advantage of Tax-Deductible Donations to Charities
Your donation will be used for the sustainability of our projects and the organisation.
Our banking details are:
Account holder: Awareness for Child Trafficking Africa (ACT Africa)
Bank: Â First National Bank
Account Number:62827188237
Branch Code 256055
Swift Code FIRNZAJJ
Email Proof of Donation to accounts@actafrica.org.za
OR
Click on the link below
https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/awarenessforchildtraffickingafricaactafrica
