By: Njabulo Ndlovu and Kwazi Dlamini

The Durban University of Technology’s Child and Youth Development Department hosted an awareness campaign to welcome the Child Protection Week on Monday.

The awareness was motivated by the Bring Back Our Girls campaign. It was done to support the people of Nigeria after over 200 girls from that country were abducted by the military group Boko Haram more than a month ago.

This event took place at Steve Biko’s Food Court at midday with the goal of creating awareness to many students and staff of DUT.

Those who passed by got to be made aware of this event and its purpose as it was strategically located in a central place that students pass when going to or coming from lectures.

They had a bright, white board written messages of hope to create awareness about children abuse. There were also messages of hope to the families of Nigerian abducted girls.

Jennifer Nguse, a lecturer in the Child and Youth Development Department said that they had organized this event to show their support to the Nigerian abducted girls, as the whole world is doing.

“As the Child and Youth development department, we thought we should also show our support as we are also dealing with children. We were also shaken by the abduction of girls in Nigeria,” said Nguse.

“It affected us a lot and we wanted to enlighten DUT students who didn’t take it seriously, we want them to know that this can happen to anyone, anywhere in the world,” she added.

Nguse said that she was very impressed when the students approached her about the idea and she didn’t hesitate. The event was very relevant to them even though there was not a great turn out. “Quantity was not very important, what was important was to get the message across”.

She believes those who were there learnt a lot from their awareness and wish people could take part in such events.

“The event was a success because even one person is enough, it takes one person to make a difference. Unfortunately when events like these happen young people do not enjoy as they would for a party.  We want these girls

back, they are not wives and they belong home with their parents,” added Nguse.

Michael Zulu, a Student Representative Committee member said that as the SRC, they are fully behind the awareness and hope the girls return to their homes safely.

Yonelisa Zide, who is a second year student said, she had been following the Nigerian story about the abducted girls but today got to know more about the story.

“I am happy to see people taking initiative and I hope another students got to learn more about the story as I did. I hope the girls are safe and will return home safe and sound,” she said.