UCZ LAUNCHES CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMME IN SCHOOLS

KAFUE BOYS SECONDARY SCHOOL – KAFUE: 22/03/2022 –The United Church of Zambia ( UCZ) Synod Community Development Social Justice Department has launched the Prevention against Child Abuse program in UCZ schools .

The Community development and social Justice Secretary, Deaconess Mable Sichali Said the project seeks to strengthen the existing UCZ Child Safeguarding policy and help to respond to different forms of Child abuse in schools and the communities where the church is situated.

Deaconess Sichali said the UCZ has joined hands with Mission schools to launch the programme and form anti Child abuse clubs to ensure that all Children are protected against abuse and Child related abuse cases are reported to appropriate authorities.

She was speaking at Nambala and Kafue Boys Secondary school during the launch of the programme.

The Deaconess has since appealed to stakeholders to partner with the Church in a quest to create a safe environment for every Child regardless of the status in Society.

Meanwhile, Nambala Secondary School Head Teacher said the program will augment on government efforts to ensure that school children are protected from various forms of abuse.

Mr. Kabwe said the project will enhance sensitization to members of the community in an effort to mitigate against Child violence.

Speaking during the same occasion ,Kafue Boy’s Secondary School Deputy Headteacher Mr. Melvin Katontobwa welcomed the project and thanked the Church for thinking about the welfare of the Boy Child.

And Mulemba Kamfwa ,a pupil at Kafue Boy’s Secondary School said the program will help the pupils open up on various social ills which they face and mitigate on consequences such as suicide and substance abuse.

The child protection project is a three year pilot project to be carried out in five UCZ Schools, aimed at enhancing the safety of the learners with support by Churches helping Churches of Bread for the World.

UCZ Nambala and Kafue Boy’s Secondary Schools are among the beneficiaries of the newly introduced project.