Freedom Day on 27 April is an annual celebration of South Africa’s first non-racial democratic elections of 1994. It is significant because it marks the establishment of a new democratic government led by Nelson Mandela and a new state subject to a new constitution.

It’s difficult to celebrate this Freedom Day in such unprecedented times. Most of us are still reeling from the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, the week of unrest in 2021 and now the devastating floods in KZN. Celebrating at a time when we feel ensnared by such overwhelming and challenging circumstances just seems impossible.

What does it feel like to be free to work and earn a living – but there’s no jobs available.

What does it feel like to run your own business – but have no finances to trade because you’ve lost everything you’ve worked for.

What does it feel like to work hard to build a home for your family – but your home was washed away and in a blink of an eye you became homeless.

What does it feel like to get an education, work hard to make your parents proud – but your parents are suddenly no more!

We’ve lost thousands of people in South Africa over the last two years. Thousands have lost their job and striped of their livelihoods. Many battling with the physical and medical effects of Covid-19. The most dangerous trap that we can fall into during these times is depression and anxiety.

In our efforts to help parents during this time, please kindly find below a link to a useful guide on dealing with anxiety in children.

“The child you love, the one who used to be so care-free, is experiencing anxiety.

If you’re an adult who’s known the weight of anxiety in your own life, you already understand a bit of what your child is experiencing. But maybe you’ve been able to move through the world mostly free of anxious thoughts. Whatever your experience, you can help your child learn to notice and deal with his or her anxious thoughts. And, specifically, you can encourage your child to experience relief by implementing the practices he or she is learning in Anxious for Nothing.”

Read more – http://maxlucado.com/wp-content/uploads/Anxious-for-Nothing-Parent-Guide.pdf