Helping to turn tide for missing kids
THE Surf Emporium, which is concerned about the escalating number of missing children and human trafficking in South Africa, will continue to raise funds for Missing Children South Africa.
Surf Emporium spokesperson Natasha Capes said the effort was initiated last year and would continue to be an annual thing as they saw the work of Missing Children SA as very important.
“We want to be part of a change. Last year we managed to raise R70 000 and this year we’re hoping for more.
“When we heard that in South Africa a child goes missing every five hours and saw how they (Missing Children SA) devote their time to bring missing children home safely, we wanted to help.
“Fortunately, according to Missing Children SA’s statistics, as many as 77% of the children are found. Sadly, this still leaves them with at least 23% of the children not being located, largely attributed to huge budget restraints.”
National case officer and co-ordinator of Missing Children SA Bianca van Aswegen said the organisation was happy that its efforts were appreciated and hoped to help more children.
“Parents get closure when a child is found. If a child is not found we do not close cases.”
On September 9, Surf Emporium will host our annual Surf Emporium Celebrity Surf Day to raise funds for the organisation.
You can get involved in four easy ways: sign-up for a group surf lesson with your favourite South African celebrities; purchase a raffle ticket; sponsor a child from Waves 4 Change and allow them the opportunity to join the celebrity surf lesson; or purchase celebrity memorabilia that has been donated.