Brackendowns resident (13) helps rape victims through donations
At the young age of only 13, Ethan Ramsaru has already made a difference in the lives of victims of abuse by donating over 150 care packs to TEARS Foundation.
At the young age of only 13, Ethan Ramsaru has already made a difference in the lives of victims of abuse by donating over 150 care packs to TEARS Foundation.
The Brackendowns resident initially started donating care packs to TEARS (Transform Education About Rape and Sexual abuse) Foundation while in Grade Seven at Brackenhurst Primary School.
TEARS Foundation is a non-profit organisation which provides access to crisis intervention, counselling and prevention education services to domestic violence victims.
The NPO also helps those impacted by sexual assault and helps sexually abused children.
Their services are offered freely across South Africa.
A little goes a long way
Ethan found the daily reports of women being raped disturbing and took it upon himself to approach the NPO in July 2019.
He took his pocket money and managed to buy care products for four care packs which he donated to the NPO.
The initiative grew and with the help he received from his then Brackenhurst Primary School teacher, Melody Pheiffer, together with family and friends he was able to make more donations.
Later that year, he managed to donate 75 care packs to the NPO.
It was not long after this donation that he made his biggest donation in November, a total of 105 care packs with the intention of making a difference in the lives of others.
Say no to abuse
His mother, Serika Ramsaru, described him as someone who puts his heart and soul into something he cares about.
She told the RECORD that through the donations, Ethan wanted to stand out from men who abuse women and children.
“He wanted to do something and felt like men should be out there saying ‘it’s not all of us who victimise women’,” she said.
“After approaching the TEARS Foundation and being given a go ahead to donate to the NPO, he decided he wanted to make a difference.
“In just two months after approaching the NPO, he donated 180 care packs,” she said.
She said Ethan’s latest donation afforded him an invitation to the NPO’s recently hosted breakfast where he was given a certificate of appreciation.
A helping hand
Ethan Ramsaru said: “I was triggered by the fact that whenever I would read the news all I could see were raped victims and I decided there was something that needed to be done.
“To get these packs, I asked my teacher and learners if they will help with donations.”
Pheiffer, his teacher at Brackenhurst Primary School, said she helped to promote the call for donations and managed to have few churches helping with the packs.
“I helped put up the lists of care products needed and distributed these to all the teachers and I decided to focus on child rape victims,” the teacher said.
“Although the products are very expensive we started getting donations from the next day. I asked teachers and each class in the school to donate a pack each.
“Some of the packs were sent to Cape Town,” she said.
You can help
The products for a care pack include gloves, brown paper bags, wipes, pack of tissues, sanitary pads, Vaseline, soap, underwear, toys and a deodorant.
To this you can also add shampoo, a notebook, pen, a bath sponge, face cloth, pull string bags, plasters, a tooth brush, hair bands and hair clips.
Those interested may drop off the products at Brackenhurst Primary School.
For more information about Ethan’s project, you can contact Serika on 072 070 4356.
