SWAGAA Charity event
On
September 25th a charity race day was held at Perth Race
Course, to raise funds and awareness for the charity :
The Scottish Friends of SWAGAA. The charity was set up
in 2002, by Angus McLeod, Hamish Alldridge, Jill Hardie
and Elizabeth Drummond - who are Trustees - to support
SWAGAA - Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse, a non-profit
making non-governmental organisation started in Swaziland
some 10 years ago.
Their
mission is to halt the widespread sexual abuse of women
and young children - some under 2 years of age - by the
male population, who believe they will be cured of illness
by such actions. SWAGAA employs full, part time and voluntary
staff to address their aims : Counsellors, medical workers,
legal advisers, forensic nurses, adminstrators, help=line
operatives, and lecturers.
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There is a new center in Manzini, where much of this work
is carried out, and where there is a refuge for women and
children.
Funds
raised for the charity help to maintain the centre, develop
awareness through campaigns and publicity, pay for more
full time trained staff. The Perth Race Day event raised
over £5000, and has paid for a new full time counsellor
- Dazie Dlamini who will work at Hlatikhuklu Govt. Hospital.
Much
of the success of the event was due to the hard work, help
and cooperation of the team at Perth Race Course, as well
as the racegoers on the day who donated generously.
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Perth
Racecourse Marketing Manager Julie Manners said " We
are delighted that the racecourse have played a part in
helping the Charity to raise sufficient funds to employ
a new counsellor and hope that we can do more to assist
future fund raising efforts".
Scottish Friends of SWAGAA have been successful in this
first year of existence with a number of events raising
both funds and profile. The work is satisfying, not only
because it helps address and overcome an appalling situation,
but also because it brings employment to the people of Swaziland."
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