1 October 2022
Bokamoso has many children we help support in various ways across several different informal settlements. One settlement in particular struggles incredibly with drug and alcohol use and abuse. Sadly, many of our young 8 to 15-year-olds are already experimenting with different types of drugs and homemade cigarettes (that are very bad for them), often as a result of their parents using them too.
We met with 60 youngsters that are struggling in this area. We were joined by two wonderful ladies that give of their time and energy to help families overcome their addictions as well as educate children on the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse. Many of these children face hunger on a daily basis, and using illegal substances is a way to reduce their hunger as well as numb them from their difficult family environments.
We were blessed to be able to provide each child with a large food parcel filled with good, wholesome food products, as well as hear about those families (child-headed and single moms) that need ongoing food support and/or help to start a community empowerment small business. However, this was just one small step to helping these children.
Helping children and families to help themselves is a very slow, ongoing process; unless they want to change or see hope for a better life, it is often not possible to support them. Thus, it is so vital that we do not become despondent and instead hold onto hope for them, so that they can have brighter futures and lives, one small step at a time, when they are ready to do so!
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