ZION Foundation

This July is Mental Illness Awareness Month. The month is about creating awareness around mental wellness to help save lives and break the stigma around mental illness.

Psychological Effects of Human Trafficking:-
Survivors of human trafficking often experience anxiety, depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional numbness, memory loss, and an intense expressions of anger or fear as a result of the trauma. They may also develop eating disorders or a dependence on drugs or alcohol.

Mental health challenges are prevalent among trafficked people and survivors often need support to recover from the psychological impact of their experiences. Mental health carers have a key role to play in responding to human trafficking. Awareness raising and training can be offered to ensure professionals are prepared to respond to trafficking and to safely identify and refer trafficked people to the care that they need and deserve.

Facilitators attending a workshop at KBH

Preventing and combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2013

Came into operation on 09 August 2015
Legislation is aimed at:
- prevention and combating of trafficking in persons
- the prosecution of offenders
- the imposition of apprepriate sentences
- protection and assistance of victims of TIP
- making provision of a coordinated and multi-disciplinary approach

16 June, Youth Day in South Africa is a day to both honour the courage and sacrifice of the youth and celebrate all young people.
Youth Day has also become an opportunity to address the concerns facing today’s young people in South Africa.

Young people, especially those with risk factors, are vulnerable to human trafficking. Homeless youth are more at risk of being trafficked because of vulnerability. These young people are often preyed on by traffickers and lured with false promises of love, money, or simply a better life. Traffickers may also use a variety of techniques to instill fear in victims and ensure that they remain under their control.

A big thank you to the Methodist church Pastor and counsel for the oppertunity to be part of the week's program. Zion Foundation did the human trafficking information session wirh them. The youth participated in the group work. We are looking forward to interact with them again.

We can never say we know enough. The facilitators of Zion Foundation had an oppertunity to attend a 2 day GBV Training hosted by Caroline Peters of the CALLAS Foundation. Women's Legal Centre were also part of this training session.

What is GBV?
Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, s*xual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including. threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether. occurring in public or private life.

Once again Zion Foundation facilitators had a fruitful day at the GBV training led by Gary Titus (prosecutor) at Karl Bremer..

Knowledge is Power, Power is Wisdom, Wisdom is understanding.

The more we know about GBV, the more we can educate.

Child protection werk (26 May -2 June)

"Every conversation matters.”
Touch a child touch a community

National Child Protection Week in South Africa is an event to raise awareness of children's rights as they're set out in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children's Act (Act no.38 of 2005).

The theme for 2024 is: “Every conversation matters.”There is a need to protect children against abuse, exploitation, neglect, and all forms of violence by ensuring that the most vulnerable in our society do not suffer abuse.

Zion Foundation attended the event today at Regional Office, Goodwood.
It was a real eventful day.We made a human chain and walked with posters in the main road in Goodwood. We also pledged to protect our children wherever we can.
The kids wore beautiful t-shirts "God's children " It fitted in with the movie... The Sound of Freedom
"God's children are not for sale"

Workers' day is a public holiday in South Africa that is celebrated on the 1st of May every year. It celebrates the role played by Trade Unions and other parties to achieve equal employment standards for everyone. Other countries might refer to the day as Labour Day or May Day. But whatever you call the day, it has the same purpose - to celebrate all the hard work done by everyone and the importance of every job in society.

This is sadly something that the trafficked person cannot celebrate. Modern slavery and human trafficking can affect anyone of any age, gender or nationality. It involves the possession of people by force, threat or deception to exploit them. It is the illegal movement of a person into or within a country.

Adults and children can be trafficked or enslaved and forced to sell their bodies for s*x. People are also trafficked or enslaved for labour exploitation, for example:

to work on a farm or factory

to work in a house as a servant, maid or nanny

to beg on the street

Where children have been trafficked and exploited this is an offence, even if no force or threats have been used and the child has given consent.

What are human rights?

Human rights are rights that everyone should have simply because they are human. In 1948, the United Nations defined 30 articles of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It established universal human rights on the basis of humanity, freedom, justice, and peace.

Cildren and young people have the same general human rights as adults and also spcific rights that recognize their needs. children are human beings who have their on ividal rights that must be protected.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child set out the rights that must be realised for children to develop to their full potential. These two documents explain the rights that all children in the world and in Africa have.

Sad but true, any child that is a victim of human trafficking do not have these rights. They work against their will and without their permission. (Forced labour/ child labour) They don't have the right to education, freedom, religion, basic health services and the right to live with parents. We can stand together and stop child labour in our country,

Thank you Felicia and the staff of CTMSC for allowing us to share the rights of the child, wirh the boys.

This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme Invest in women: Accelerate progress.

Women are facing many crises, ranging from emotional challenges to facing poverty. These challenges can only be addressed by solutions that empower women. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer, and more equal world for all.

Victims of human trafficking do not have the privilege of excelling in any area of their lives.

Today we celebrate all women of all walks of life. 💜💟

Have you seen us on social media and wondered who we are? Here is a little insight into what we do. Join us in the fight against human trafficking!

There are myths that "boys don't cry"

These comments indicates that boys are not allowed to express emotion. If boys expressed emotions they were made fun of, chastised, bullied and made to feel they were being feminine. Boys could express positive emotion but were not allowed to express sad emotion. They had to be strong. That's why some boys don't want to tell anyone when they are bullied.

How many boys were bullied by traffickers? This is exactly what happens to boys who have been trafficked. The traffickers bully them to make them submissive.

Thank you Felicia and the staff of CTMSC for allowing us to do an awareness session with the these boys

Today is Human Trafficking awareness day. We do awareness sessions everywhere we get an opportunity. In support of Human Trafficking Prevention awareness, we all wore something blue 🩵💙👔👖👟🧢🌐🔵🟦 Thank big thank you to everyone who wore blue. 🩵💙

Don't forget yo wear something blue tomorrow please 💙🩵

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month – an important time to reflect on the resilience of trafficking survivors and recognize the efforts of those who work tirelessly to prevent and eliminate this inhumane and devastating form of abuse and exploitation.

Zion Foundation and other non-profit organizations, are actively engaging with the public on anti-human trafficking efforts with a goal to raise awareness and eradicate this crime. Pleaae wear blue (if you can) on 11 January in support of Human Trafficking Prevention awareness.

🎄Season's Greetings 🎄
What can we say when we look back at 2023. 🙌 First of all, thank You Father for the amazing year. Zion Foundation has been on the move... near and far! 🚗🔜

🤝The success we experienced would not be possible without your contribution. On behalf of the Zion Foundation , we would like to extend our utmost gratitude to you. Thank you to all our partnering organizations, churches and communities who made it possible by inviting us to do human trafficking awareness. We value all of you.

To our ✨dedicated team✨, thank you to everyone. We value your commitment and teamwork. This does not go unnoticed.💐

✨🎄Complements of the season to you and your families.🎄✨ May you enjoy the festivities and break from the usual activities. God bless

Volunteers teaches us how to be selfless. Every person can make a difference, and volunteers usually do.

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."

Thank you to all the volunteers for giving your heart, time and love to make life better for someone else. 💜💛❤💚🧡💙💗

World AIDS day:
Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from HIV/ AIDS-related illnesses.
The link between human trafficking and HIV/AIDS has been identified.

Thank you aunt Rose, Klapmuts community stalwart, for opening your door for us to share the effects of HIV on the trafficked person, with the ladies in the area.

Thank you to Chantelle Goliath of New Heritage Foundation for the sponsorship of sanitary towels that Zion facilitators distributed amongst the ladies.

Today is WorldAIDS day.
We think of everyone who contracted HIV/AIDS due to being a victim of human trafficking.
Women and girls are highly at risk of HIV and AIDS infections while being trafficked. Human trafficking surface as one of the major social, legal, medical, and public health crises of our time. Little-known parts of human trafficking is the victims' risk to become infected with HIV and other s*xually transmitted infections. Several studies reported that high percentages of trafficking victims are HIV-positive. The trafficked person cannot negotiate safe s*x by using condoms. Therefore they are at high risk They are forced to have unprotected s*x, and this increase their risk to become infected with HIV/ AIDS.
Human Trafficking is GBV 🤨😕😠STOP🖐 human trafficking 🚫

Gender-based violence (GBV) and trafficking in persons (TIP) might be treated as separate crimes, but human trafficking is GBV. Gender-based violence is often at the root of vulnerability to trafficking. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue.

Gender-based violence can include s*xual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in private. It also includes threats of violence, coercion and manipulation. This can take many forms such as intimate partner violence, s*xual violence, child marriage, female ge***al mutilation and so-called ‘honour crimes’.

Let us fight this evil together

4 November marks 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧👨‍👩‍👦‍👦National Children's Day in South Africa.

Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and need special protection. 🛡️⚔️ They're dependent on their parents, families and the government for their protection and well-being. Their best interests are always the main consideration when it comes to any matter affecting them.
Child protection is everybody’s responsibility and we want a country where all children are free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Children’s rights are an important part of our Constitution, and have been included in Section 28 of the Bill of Rights. 📜

Today, we celebrated this important 📆 day with our Bridgetown children. The event was organised by Tamsin Haricombe of Bridgehouse. 💃🏻

Zion Foundation International was amongst the speakers of the day. Human 🫣😷 trafficking is still a form of Gender-based Violence 👊🏽🫵??🫲🏼

📀💿💻🎙️🎵🎶DJ Wow with Amaroction from Khayelitsha entertained the children with 🎵🎶🗣️🎙️ songs against GBV.
Sinoxolo was on the 🪘 drum while the African dancers showed us some dance moves.

R**e Crisis spoke about the safety and s*xual violence towards our children in light of the high r**e stats. 📈

Miss Fairy of Silverlining spoke on the importance of 📚📝 education. They have a reading centre, do 👩🏻‍🏫🔢 math tutoring, 🍲🍛feeding scheme and offer social support to children in need.

H.O.P.E ( helping others to prosper everywhere) They make sure 👔👟school wear is available throughout the year. So please order early enough to avoid disappointed.

Thank you Bridgehouse (Our sister partner) for including Zion in the day's activities.
The kids had an 🤩🥳🛝 awesome day since the day was about them. They had fun on the jumping castle and went home with 🛍️goodie bags and a 🍟🍗nice meal.

" When we 🛡️⚔️🤺protect our children... we 🤺⚔️🛡️ protect our future" ❤️🌹💖💯

Zion Foundation International would like ti wish our CEO and her Husband a Happy Anniversary. We wish you God's riches blessings on your marriage. We are blessed to have you in our lives. Love you muchness 😘❤💕💍🌹💐🌸🌷

October is at it's end and we had our last "mental health & human trafficking" awareness.
We looked at how parents of abducted children cope with stress due to the disappearance of their child. All parents experience distress, regardless of whether it was their own child or someone else's abducted children.
Child abduction has become a big social concern that has captured the attention of many communities and putting strain on the parents.
A lot of people would agree that child trafficking is one of the most stressful types of aduse.
Various cases of child abduction are mentioned in the media. It also creates a level of fear in almost all parents. Therefore it is important for communities to stand together and empathise with parents who lost children to human trafficking.
"God's children are not for sale"
Thank you once again Audrey and Morne for including us in the Faith-Joy-Peace conference.
Thank you Apostle Kyle for the prophetic word and a big thank you to the ladies of the Manenberg community who faithfully attend the awareness sessions 🙏❤☘️🙇‍♀️😘🙇‍♂️🌹💐🌸🌼🌻💮