Its Tuesday evening and I am beyond exhausted mentally. It has, as usual, been too much to take in on this trip. Each child has a story to tell and each one sad and each one filled with the most utmost belief that someone or something will help change their lives. Speaking to kids who have endured some kind of hardship or violence is not easy. Its not easy because you sit in disbelief wondering how kids this young are able to cope with such adversity and at the same time still be kids  – wanting to live a life that is sheltered from all the hardship that life presents to them. I spoke to kids today that have been victims of sexual abuse today. It was hard watching and listening to these poor souls and trying to fathom what chance they even stood in terms of defending themselves from those who inflicted such terrible physical and mental anguish on them. Interesting to note that most of these perpetrators are known to children or their families. . .

There are a few interesting statistics that have been compiled by UNICEF which might send a chill down your spine:    .      Of the 55,114  reported rape cases in South Africa in 2005, 40% of them were against children below age of 14 (SAPS).    .      Today in South Africa 273 HIV positive babies will be born.    .      Today in South Africa 95 children will be raped or suffer some form of sexual abuse.    .      Across the globe 25% of girls and 8% of boys have been subjected to some form of sexual abuse (WHO).    .      South Africa has a 7% conviction rate for all rapes reported to police, whether child or an adult.    .      Every child has the right to be protected from physical or mental abuse.    .      It is estimated that there are 1.5 million maternal orphans in SA.    .      Neglect and ill treatment of children for 2005/6 increased by 82.3%  over 2001/2 (SAPS).    .      By the end of this evening 86 children would have been violently assaulted throughout South Africa.    .      By the end of a fashion week (4 days) almost 2000 children will be orphaned and 600 children would have died from a preventable disease. 

The Convention of the Rights of Child seems a farce when one sees what children have to endure in present day South Africa. Don’t get me wrong there are amazing people out there who are doing all they can to enforce the rights of children and bring offenders to book but on the whole its not enough! I urge people to speak out and not remain apathetic. Quite often we witness violence against women and children and more often than not people walk away thinking ‘I can’t get involved, its not my place’. This has to end for as long as we feel it not necessary to intervene people will think they can get away with doing the things they do.

I sit here wondering what prompts people to do the things they do? My mind boggles and is at a complete loss for finding answers. In fact I am just completely astounded at the level of violence and abuse that in some way I feel disillusioned. It seems the more one does to try and minimise these crimes against children the more one uncovers. The one thing I hope is that I, like many other people out there, will give a voice to children who suffer in silence and have no voice to defend themselves. If you would like to be involved please send me an email to gavin@gavinrajah.com and I will be able to point you in the right direction or alternatively if you would like to make donations this may be done by filling the appropriate forms so that the funds will be channelled to UNICEF in South Africa towards programmes that go towards child related programmes.

I wish I could show you the amazing pictures of the children that I met with but this would a serious invasion of their privacy and possibly undermine their security. The one thing though I learnt today was that we must learn to be more grateful for the things that we have and for the peace of mind that we have. Children who are hurt may take a life time to over come the emotional scarring and some continue to live their lives as adults forever tortured by a past that they had no choice in. This is such a sad fact and we need to make sure that as able and privileged members of the human race that we do something to stop this pain.

Start by doing small things. Research local groups who support children’s causes, use your profile/business to raise the issues of children’s rights or get people in your work environment to be more sensitive about these issues. Whatever it is you do – just do something no matter how small and give thanks for all the things that you are blessed with in your life. Start by doing small things. Research local groups who support children’s causes, use your profile/business to raise the issues of children’s rights or get people in your work environment to be more sensitive about these issues. Whatever it is you do – just do something no matter how small and give thanks for all the things that you are blessed with in your life. 

I am starting a drive to collect children’s clothing and winter blankets and would be most grateful if you have anything to offer if you could contact my office or myself on 021 424 7842/9 – you can speak to Mornique Mellem or email her on Mornique@grconcept.com. We are in for a pretty severe winter and I am hoping that we are able to keep kids warm . . . raincoats, umbrellas, hats, socks, jerseys, scarves. ETC. are the kind of things that I am looking to collect. The Kids are between 4 – 12 years old and are male and female. 

- Gavin.