Teddy Bear Foundation

Happy New Year from the Teddy Bear Family 🧸💛

As the year begins and everyone prepares to return to work and school, many children are in need of essential stationery to succeed in their education. The Teddy Bear Foundation is hosting a stationery drive to ensure that no child is left behind this January. How you can help: • Donate stationery by arranging drop-offs at our offices • Contribute financially using “TBF Stationery” as the reference. All funds will go directly towards this initiative As an accredited NPO, we are able to provide an 18A Tax Compliance Certificate for your donation. Visit our donation page by scanning the QR code or going to TTBC.org.za For more information, contact Dalene Bishop at 062 836 7236 or daleneb@ttbc.org.za Together, we can give every child the tools they need to succeed in 2025.

🎄✨ Season’s Greetings from The Teddy Bear Foundation ✨🎄 As we embrace this festive season, we send our warmest wishes to all, no matter how you celebrate. May your holidays be filled with love, joy, and moments of togetherness. Thank you for your unwavering support throughout the year. Together, we’ve made a difference, and we look forward to continuing this journey in the year ahead. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright, hopeful start to the New Year! 🌟 #SeasonsGreetings #HappyHolidays #NewYear #TeddyBearFoundation

The launch of the 365 Days of Activism Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) campaign is a critical and commendable step forward in addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in South Africa. As echoed by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and other advocates, the urgency to combat GBV cannot be confined to a single month or a short-term focus. The lessons and momentum generated during initiatives such as the 16 Days of Activism must be sustained throughout the year. Gender-based violence continues to devastate individuals, families, and communities, leaving scars that are not only physical but emotional, psychological, and spiritual. As the Clinical Director of the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children, I have witnessed firsthand the far-reaching consequences of GBV, particularly on vulnerable groups such as women and children. A year-long commitment underscores the need for constant vigilance, education, and collaboration to address the root causes of this societal crisis. The Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy 2024-2030, as highlighted by Daniela Gennrich, is a promising example of collective action that can foster environments of safety and dignity. Faith-based and community organizations have a pivotal role in shaping values, challenging harmful norms, and offering support to survivors. To achieve lasting change, we must ensure that the principles of respect, equality, and justice permeate all sectors of society. This includes integrating GBV awareness into educational curricula, strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems, and empowering communities to take a stand against all forms of abuse. I call upon all South Africans to embrace the ethos of 365 Days of Activism—not as a campaign, but as a way of life. Let us unite in our efforts to create a safer, more inclusive society where everyone, particularly the most vulnerable, can thrive free from violence and fear. Together, we can transform lessons into action and despair into hope. Dr. Shaheda Omar Clinical Director The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children https://lnkd.in/gNzRrWQt

We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Fleet Africa, the leading provider of Fleet Management Solutions in Africa! Thanks to their incredible support, the Teddy Bear Foundation now has a new vehicle to hit the streets of Jozi, extending our reach and amplifying our impact Together, we are working towards a brighter future: Child Abuse, No More. A heartfelt thank you to @FleetAfrica for making this possible and driving change where it matters most. Johannesburg, keep an eye out for us as we make a difference.

🎓 As matric students celebrate the end of their school careers, it’s important to remember the dangers of alcohol abuse. Alcohol can be a structural driver of violence, putting young people at risk. Let’s make safe and responsible choices as we close this chapter and look to the future. 💙 #TeddyBearFoundation #YouthSafety #ResponsibleCelebrations https://lnkd.in/gkzEN5qV

The recent crime statistics paint an alarming picture of the challenges facing our schools. Children, who should be in safe spaces of learning and growth, are instead being exposed to high levels of violence and criminal behavior. Reports of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), attempted murder, rape, sexual abuse, bullying, initiation violence, and gang-related activities are deeply concerning. These issues highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts from all sectors: government, schools, communities, and families to prioritize the safety and well-being of our children. As a society, we must act decisively to address these issues, fostering environments where children feel safe, respected, and supported. Only by working together can we hope to turn the tide on this crisis and build a future where our schools are sanctuaries of learning, not fear. #ChildSafety #SchoolSafety #EndViolence #TogetherForChange https://lnkd.in/gM-NKC78

The 2024 Ride Joburg drew over 12,000 participants and marked the completion of my third and final personal race goal for the year. Crossing the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge was a moment of immense achievement. I’m deeply grateful to Seriti Resources and the Teddy Bear Foundation for their support in making this journey a success.

Thank you for your Generosity 🧸 💛

The recent Business Women’s Meeting, proudly sponsored by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, brought together trailblazers in the field of empowerment and child protection. From left to right, the event was graced by Dr. Linda Ncube, CEO of the National Movement for Child and Family (NMCF), Konale Gugushe, CEO of the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, and Ms. Refiloe, Child Protection Program Manager at NMCF. Dr. Shaheda Omar, Director of The Teddy Bear Foundation, attended the meeting to represent the foundation’s critical work in child protection and advocacy. Her presence underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in creating safe and supportive environments for vulnerable children and families. The event provided a platform for leaders to share insights, foster partnerships, and drive innovative solutions for community upliftment and empowerment.