SITEKI – About 150 children and young people, from Lugongolweni, Langa and Sikhuphe, and other areas within the Lubombo region were trained by SOS Children’s Villages on Cybersecurity, sexual reproductive health rights and awareness on mental health.
Observing the several challenges that are faced by children when they are idle at home, the SOS Children’s Villages in Siteki, took the opportunity to create awareness on how children and young people can protect themselves when using online platforms, keeping their bodies healthy and clean and protecting themselves from all forms of danger, during the school holidays.
The training for the children and young people started off with discussions about child protection and safeguarding. Gugulethu Mavuso, the National Child safeguarding coordinator, from SOS Children’s Villages, encouraged the participants to remember the importance of meeting their obligations and responsibilities when parents and guardians respect and honour their rights. Children were encouraged to offer to help their parents at home, be responsible with house chores as they are at home and respond to their parents with respect, whenever they address their concerns.
Assistant Commissioner, Nicholas Jele and Cyber Crime Investigator, -Sergent Ntokozo Msibi, from the Fraud & commercial unit-Cyber desk, created awareness about Cybercrimes prevention online and dealing with cyber bullying. The Assistant Commissioner warned especially young people to avoid having sexual relations with people they meet online and the oversharing of their personal data, through constant posting. He raised awareness about the child trafficking that happens as a result of the relationships that children and young people have with strangers online.
Remember that understanding and supporting young people during these challenges is essential. Parents and guardians can play a significant role by being informed and empathetic. Thus, the children and young people were encouraged to always inform their parents whenever they are faced with challenges or report to the police or any person of trust. Bukiwe Dlamini the Prevention Officer from Bantfwana Initiatives covered the mental health aspect of the training. She raised awareness on the positive aspects of being idle. “You must use your free time to be creative”. She said that when the mind is not constantly occupied with structured tasks, it has the opportunity to explore new ideas and think outside the box. Children and young people were encouraged to relax their minds and take time away from books, to recreate and play to avoid having depression and other me ntal health issues that can lead to suicide.
SOS Children’s Villages believes that children and young people are the future of Eswatini, and they should be protected from all forms of danger including online dangers, that can affect their lives negatively.
