Safe Parks: A refuge for children
Providing secure environments for children in marginalised communities to improve child wellbeing.
Freedom Park, a community located in Soweto, Johannesburg faces challenges, like many areas, of poverty, violence and abuse.
However, there is a place that offers support and hope.
At the local Safe Park, child and youth care worker Samuel Motaung helps children growing up in the same environment as he did to find refuge, care and guidance.
Safe Parks like this one form part of the Department of Social Development's 'Risiha’ Programme which is supported by UNICEF South Africa. These spaces are established to provide secure environments for children in marginalised communities and to improve child wellbeing by strengthening prevention and early intervention where needed.
Safe Parks are places for recreation, counselling and, through child and youth care workers like Samuel they provide holistic support to empower vulnerable children.
