Friends of Child Protection (FCP), a registered non-profit organisation, is experiencing financial difficulties as the cost of the items included in their comfort packs has escalated.

These comfort packs for toddlers will be transported to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

On Mandela Day, last Thursday, the FCP packed over 600 comfort packs to be delivered to SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) units, as well as Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), where rape victims are safely lodged.

Founded and established as a charity in 2002, the FCP focuses on supporting child victims in the first few hours of trauma by giving each child a comfort pack.

Comfort packs are designed to soothe and comfort a child victim of sexual abuse during the time they have to wait at police stations and hospitals for questioning and a traumatic medical examination.

The comfort packs are given directly to abused children by doctors, nurses, investigating officers or social workers.

For many, these comfort packs are the first new items they have ever received, and often the first items that belong entirely to them, even though, in most cases, the toothbrush, facecloth, soap and deodorant are used by the whole family.

According to Antonia Zechner, chairperson of the FCP, the cost of the Mandela Day packing project was just over R40 000.

“It depends on the size of the packs, so this one (packing project) was about R40 000 and a big pack can cost double that, it can go up to R100 000 if we have to buy soft toys. So, if people knit for us that saves us money but with the prices of everything going up due to inflation we are struggling. From underwear to crayons, baby bottles, face cloths and soap, everything is expensive,” said Ms Zechner.

“We do rely on individuals donating to us and we will reach out to people to donate things like toothpaste and toothbrushes and soap. We received soft toys from Born Wild and these toys are the biggest cost. We are grateful for people who knit (soft toys) for us. We have sponsors like Dischem and the Royal Portfolio that are supporting us. We get some items like face clothes at a good price from Dream Textiles, and even though they’re giving us discounts the prices are still going up. It’s going to be tight for the next packing,” she said.

The FCP regularly packs and distributes around 1 000 comfort packs, but Ms Zechner says that because of Mandela Day, other organisations have also contributed to the TCCs.

“It’s a smaller pack this time around as the TCCs have received donations from communities. It’s still a sizeable amount but we average over 1 000 comfort packs. So, they have let us know that they don’t need that many from us.”

Several organisations and regular volunteers gave their time on Mandela Day to help with the packing.

“We are 12 volunteers and we are happy to be assisting the FCP with the packing for our 67 minutes for Mandela Day, ”said Helena Martin, community work supervisor and director of Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre. “We distribute in Grassy Park, Delft, Mitchell’s Plain and Athlone.”

“It’s mixed emotions when you think of where these packs are going and why...” said Emma Gelb, a sustainability co-ordinator for the Royal Portfolio, “at the same time we are happy that we contributing to a good cause.

“The reality is that these things happen and that children do land up at police stations or victim centres after facing abuse, so it’s nice to know that we are contributing to their comfort.”

For more about the FCP and how you can help, call Antonia Zechner on 071 151 4961 or Bev Howell on 063 783 7344 or visit https://friendsofchildprotection.org.za

Antonia Zechner, the chairperson of Friends of Child Protection, does her rounds checking if the comfort pack numbers match up.

These comfort packs for boys are going to Mossel Bay.

Above and below: The Gardens Presbyterian Church hall was productive as volunteers came together to pack.

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More aid needed for comfort packs for child survivors of violence