"The only time I made a little money was during back to school," one of the women said.

"Lord, will the situation remain the same this year? There must be a better way," one woman said.

"But if you are asking God for a better way, it means that you are wishing or hoping that God will improve your financial problems," one of them pointed out.

"It is not really a wish, but I cannot turn to man for help, only God can help us out of this hardship," the woman said.

A woman who did not agree with the other women shouted, "well, I have whole heap of things to wish for because I am a mother and it pains my heart when I see them advertising the missing children on television."

"I hear them saying that the murder rate is down, but the number of missing persons, particularly children, is increasing", the woman said.

"It is my view that the children are raped and killed or are being sexually abused by those who abduct them," the woman said.

She went on further to emphasise that it is very traumatic for the parents when their children cannot be found.

"One of my friend's 13-year-old daughter was raped and killed four years ago and up to now she cries daily about the loss of her child. I do hope our children, will all be safe in the New Year and all those who are found guilty of sexually assaulting the children both boys and girls, will spend a very long time in prison," the woman added.

The Child Care and Protection Act was passed in 2004 to protect the children. A child is defined in the act as a person who has not reached the age of 18. There are stiff penalties for those who are convicted of offences under the act.