Read Lesley's Blog
Research:
We have been working with the UK Open University to ensure a proper academic study grounded in substantial research, and that can be published; our aim in this is to try to establish some of the causes and maybe, in some small way, help find some solutions to the abuse of small children. We are co-funding this programme with the Open University.
In 2007 we appointed Kgauhelo, our student, and she has now begun her fieldwork in South Africa. We are all really excited about this programme and what will emerge.
Lesley Rudd
Chief Executive
the infant trust
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BIOGRAPHY
OF KGAUHELO LEKALAKALA |
There was loud shouting of slogans “Black power” coming from Merafe station in Soweto and these we heard from our school, Phenyo Combined School. It was the beginning of the biggest political uprisings in the history of South Africa, June 16 1976. Born in 1963 in Central Western Jabavu, I was thirteen years old and had no clue what was going on and this raised my political awareness.
During my school years in 1978, I worked at a confectionary in Oriental Plaza, Braamfontein where I was kicked on my bum whilst scrubbing the floors by the owner’s wife. I learned that our mothers, working as labourers, suffer in silence to earn a living to raise us. I vowed to be educated so that no one will ever get a chance to kick me again. I matriculated in 1981 in Soweto, Mapetla High School.
I qualified as a social worker in 1985. I got a job as a community development officer in a farm in Potgietersrus in 1987. Working as a social worker since 1989 to 1996 put me in the frontline where I dealt with child sexual abuse and threats from parents as I intervened. I enjoyed this field and as a result have given awareness talks in communities on the subject.
My pursuit for knowledge continued as I obtained two degrees in 1994 and 2000 (BA SS Hons and MA SS in Mental Health).
I continuously search for challenges in life and in 1996 I moved to work for the Non Profit Sector as a programme manager from 1997 to 2002 gaining a lot of research, management and finance skills as a rural development activist. I moved to London in 2004 to explore the world and learn further.
The dream I shared with my late father became a reality as I took the first steps in my journey as a PhD student with Open University in 2007 October. I plan to explore issues of Child Sexual Abuse on Preschool Children in South Africa. I choose Limpopo as my area of focus because I believe there is a need.
Supporting me on my journey is my husband and two wonderful sons.