JR-RFK - Royal Family Kids!
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Jackson’s Ridge - Royal Family Kids’ (JR-RFK) are welcoming, one-week resident
camps designed to meet the unique and overwhelming needs of abused and neglected
children. Child abuse happens around us every day. Thousands of children are physically,
sexually and emotionally abused, and severely neglected. Though stories of traumatized
children fill our newspapers, many cases are unreported. According to RAPCAN, as
many as half a million children are abused annually in South Africa alone, with
at least 100 cases of child abuse processed through the courts every day (www.rapcan.org.za). This growing problem is compounded by
the horrific spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.
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The Children of Africa Need Our Help
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Every day helpless children are forced to accept brutal abuse as a way of life.
They are beaten, locked up, starved, tortured and sexually abused, oftentimes by
their own caregivers or relatives. What happens to victims? Many are removed from
their homes and placed in children’s shelters, places of safety and foster care.
For these little ones, life has come to a dead-end almost before it has begun. Some
of their lives may never be salvaged, but for many there is hope: JR-RFKC is all
about creating happy memories for abused and neglected children, and you
are invited to be a part of this exciting program of healing.
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It is through intensely supportive interaction with our trained and screened adults
that the first question; “Am I loved?” is answered. Our camps are sponsored and
staffed by people from local churches. JR-RFKC is the leading network of camps for
abused and neglected children in Africa. We have hundreds of volunteers, each camp
achieving a ratio of one adult volunteer to every two campers, which allows for
meaningful mentoring and individual care.
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JR-RFK campers are provided with a wealth of activities to choose from that are
designed to build self-esteem. Each camp has a host of support staff and even a
Grandma and Grandpa to give hugs and words of approval. It is this model, which
is duplicated and sponsored by local churches for the children of their local communities.
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How Can One Week Make A Difference?
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We offer a healthy dose of hope that...
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Your church chooses a school to adopt a positive experience with loving adult role
models is possible—they can experience an “oasis”, a full week of relief, where
they can feel deeply loved and cared for
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they can succeed, because they have done so at our camps – JR-RFK campers will
discover their own self-worth and a feeling of success as they complete projects,
have FUN, and meet new friends
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Who benefits from a Jackson’s Ridge-Royal Family Kids’ Camp?
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Social workers, who get to send children from their case loads to a well organized,
5 day, sponsored camp
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Following the first JR-RFKC camp held in 2002, ongoing testimonies from social workers,
care-givers, school teachers, and the children themselves proves that the JR-RFK
program works! Children have been known to show a marked improvement in attitude,
school participation, and self-esteem.
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Here is how you can help:
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Contact us today to learn more about JR-RFK or a camp in your area.
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