Nobody asks more questions than a curious child. In the midst of a global pandemic, we as adults have scores of questions ourselves. Children have thousands more than that! We could all do with some reassurance right now, especially the children around us. In episode 5 of Children at Heart we speak to faith leaders who help us answer a question of our own: what is the role of faith groups in the time of COVID-19? Children at Heart is a UNICEF South Africa podcast in partnership with Heartlines. This series is produced by Audiodacious. Host: Nevelia Moloi Engineer & editor: Mzamo Moloi Music: "Crystal Clarity" by Space-Mono “Family” by Josh Leake

Will childhood ever be the same again beyond COVID-19? There’s a growing concern around the impact of the Coronavirus on the mental health and wellbeing of children, who may have a lot of questions, frustrations and fears that they’re not always able to articulate. In episode 4 of Children at Heart, we talk to Edith Kriel, executive director of Jelly Beanz, a child protection organization that supports children and families who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. She offers insights on how to help your kids stay mentally strong through this unusual time and reminds caregivers and parents to also pay attention to their own mental health. Children at Heart is a UNICEF South Africa podcast in partnership with Heartlines. This series is produced by Audiodacious. Series producers: Mzamo Moloi. Nevelia Moloi Host: Nevelia Moloi Engineer & editor: Mzamo Moloi Music: "Crystal Clarity" by Space-Mono "Countdown" by Paper Planes

There are many things under threat during a national lockdown: jobs, availability of resources, access to education, to name a few. But there are people who are working hard to ensure that the rights of children are not on the list of things under threat. In this episode we hear from Angie Makwetla Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission Responsible for Children's Rights. She offers perspective on how children’s rights have been impacted by COVID-19 and the lockdown – and why she’s hopeful that we’ll emerge stronger as a nation on the other side of this pandemic. Children at Heart is a UNICEF South Africa podcast in partnership with Heartlines. This series is produced by Audiodacious. Series producers: Mzamo Moloi. Nevelia Moloi Host: Nevelia Moloi Engineer & editor: Mzamo Moloi Music: "Crystal Clarity" by Space-Mono

Parenting is not an easy task on any given day. But parenting under a national lockdown is something that’s definitely NOT covered in any parenting manual! It’s April 2020 and South Africa is currently under a lockdown in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, children are on the longest unplanned holiday, with parents and caregivers feeling all kinds of stress. In episode 2 of Children at Heart – the UNICEF South Africa podcast, we speak to Gloria Khoza, UNICEF Child Protection Officer. She offers timely advice on how to keep calm, and parent under lockdown. She also shares great tips for those of us living in constrained spaces. Children at Heart is a UNICEF South Africa podcast in partnership with Heartlines. This series is produced by Audiodacious. Series producers: Mzamo Moloi. Nevelia Moloi Host: Nevelia Moloi Engineer & editor: Mzamo Moloi Music "Crystal Clarity" by Space-Mono "Mmangwane" from Memeza: Songs to Make You Shout and Dance, with permission of Desiré Dathini

Never before has the world been more collectively shaken, yet also strangely interconnected by a virus. We are living in the time of COVID-19, the pandemic that has brought nations to a complete standstill. There are millions of children looking to the caregivers and adults around them for protection and guidance in these uncertain times. In this episode we speak to Mayke Huijbregts, Chief of Social Policy and Child Protection for UNICEF South Africa. We also speak to Dr Garth Japhet, founder of Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication, and CEO of Heartlines, the Centre for Values Promotion. Life under COVID-19 is by no means life as usual. Just as it takes a village to raise and save a child; it takes a society to overcome this pandemic. Children at Heart is a Unicef South Africa podcast in partnership with Heartlines. This series is produced by Audiodacious.