For many children growing up in South Africa’s most vulnerable communities, teachers do far more than teach mathematics and reading. They are often the first adults to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, trauma or exploitation and, increasingly, are working alongside child protection organisations to ensure vulnerable learners receive the support they need.
To strengthen this support, the ReStory Foundation and Kasturba Gandhi Primary School in Bhambayi have partnered to help protect vulnerable children and create brighter futures.
ReStory Foundation Culture and Empowerment Manager Natalie Naude said safeguarding children should never be the responsibility of a single organisation.
“Protecting children shouldn’t be the responsibility of one organisation. When schools, families, social workers, police and community organisations work together, children have the best chance of healing, thriving and building brighter futures.
“Kasturba Gandhi Primary School has become a powerful example of how schools and community organisations can work together to safeguard children. Working closely with our foundation, teachers identify vulnerable learners, refer them for professional support, monitor their wellbeing and continue walking alongside them long after the initial intervention,” she said.
Naude said teachers at the school regularly identify learners displaying signs of trauma and refer them to the ReStory Foundation for professional support, while continuing to monitor their wellbeing throughout the intervention process.
“Some teachers have even testified in court in child abuse matters, placing themselves at personal risk to help ensure justice is served for vulnerable children. Others voluntarily provide school uniforms, extra lessons and emotional support for learners facing difficult circumstances,” she said.
