Anglo American supports Teddy Bear Clinic

Teddy Bear Clinic director, Dr Shaheda Omar, says that the Chairman's Fund financial assistance has proved critical in furthering the clinic's objectives.

"The progress that the clinic has achieved wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the consistent support of the Chairman's Fund. The Fund has ultimately allowed us to fundamentally improve the lives of abused children in the communities we operate in, and provide them with a sense of renewed hope."

Proactive in finding solutions

Omar further notes that the donations from the Chairman's Fund have enabled the organisation to be more proactive in finding solutions and implementing preventative measures. This includes running workshops and conducting training programmes in which communities are equipped with information on how to better cope with the emotional and physical effects of abuse.

The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children was established in 1989 and offers rehabilitation and court preparation programmes to abused children and their families.

Chairman's Fund Chairperson, Norman Mbazima, concludes that the effective results of the Teddy Bear Clinic are consistent with Anglo American's overall objectives.

"Anglo American's Chairman's Fund is completely dedicated to furthering the development of South African communities, and one of the areas that we have identified as a major barrier to community welfare, is child abuse.

"As such, we are proud to support the Teddy Bear Clinic in its endeavours, and assist this organisation to effect real change in communities by ensuring that abused children have access to a better life, and grow up to become positive contributing members of society."