The campaign further hopes to establish a strong support group in the city to offer continuous support to victims.
THE BAREFOOT Campaign has donated a television set and care packs to the Galeshewe-based Thuthuzela Care Centre, which provides a critical service to rape and abuse victims, in an effort to create “an atmosphere of warmth and comfort” at the centre and help with the healing process.
The Barefoot Campaign is a private campaign established in 2017 and sees women walking barefoot in an effort to raise funds to support rape victims, especially children, as well as attending court cases to support victims in their fight for justice.
According to the founder of the campaign in Kimberley, Tremaine Barnes, she decided to do something when she experienced what she said was a cold and sterile atmosphere at the Thuthuzela Care Centre during her first visit.
She said that her organisation has been selling natural barefoot sandals in order to raise funds for the donation.
The care packs include toiletries and snacks for the victims after their traumatic ordeals.
“Sometimes a victim arrives at the centre hungry and exhausted, or sometimes in need of a fresh bath before or after an examination, or something to snack on, but those smaller items are not available. That is very sad.”
She added that she hoped that the small gesture would make the process a little easier on survivors and help speed up the healing process.
The campaign further hopes to establish a strong support group in the city to offer continuous support to victims.
The co-ordinator of Thuthuzela Care Centre, Zandile Deyi, pledged to ensure that the donations would be utilised for and by the victims.
“We say thank you on behalf of the beneficiaries and assure you that it will serve its intended purpose,” said Deyi.
