GEORGE NEWS - Infused with her daughter’s involvement in LIFE Community Services and their planned holiday program for the children, 82-year-old Margo Johnson started a worldwide campaign for the children of South Africa - all on her own.
Johnson’s daughter is Sally Versfeld, a member of LIFE’s leadership team.
"While you’re watching the World Cup who will be watching our children?" This is the core of her concern for the period of four and a half weeks when the schools are closed and the streets wide open to visitors from every nation, coming to South Africa to watch soccer.
Human trafficking is a very real threat worldwide, and South Africa is no different. Isolated incidents of abductions of babies and teenagers have been reported. Children go missing - never to be found.
"For those who have to work during the extended holiday break, it would mean leaving their children unattended," says Johnson.
Her question to all the churches in the area is whether they are ready to watch over the children and whether they are prepared to open their doors to accommodate youngsters with a holiday program during the school break.

DVD produced
Johnson initiated the production of a DVD about the topic, which appeals to people all over the world, asking for funds or help for her project, the Our Children Campaign. Her granddaughter, Fay Johnson, in the USA is currently expanding her campaign throughout the States.
The DVD was made locally in her daughter’s garage by John DeVries, the son of LIFE’s director, Maryna DeVries. The ‘actors’ are Johnson herself and two members of LIFE, Denzel Kennedy and Shirley Majikija, who respectively give a translation of the message in Afrikaans and Xhosa. Johnson’s invitation is open to every congregation in the country who wants to participate in the campaign.
For more information, contact her on 082 680 3119 or send an e-mail to margo@ourchildren2010.com. You may watch the videos on child safety and human trafficking at www.ourchildren2010.com.

Facts around human trafficking
Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, kidnapping or receipt of people for purposes of slavery, forced labour or servitude.
Human trafficking is the third largest market industry in the world, garnering over R66-billion annually.
South African people are trafficked from one city to the next, and across the sea to serve as slaves in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Men and boys are recruited to work on farms under false promises of pay and suitable accommodation. Adolescent girls and young women are often recruited into the sex industry.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 46% or 800 000 people are trafficked for purposes of prostitution each year. It is one of the most lucrative enterprises in the world for criminals.
Youth living in child-headed households due to HIV and Aids and children living in impoverished rural areas are most vulnerable to being trafficked.
Children who are not in school or are unaccompanied are more frequently targeted.

Article and photo: Michelle Pienaar