If there’s one thing every man desires to be, it’s to be a Real Man. It’s the one thing that binds us, that makes us tick, that we all strive for…and sadly, it’s the one thing South African women and children do not see enough of. Rape, Abuse, Domestic violence, Abandonment, Lack of protection and support. All these societal ills and family dysfunction are rife in South Africa today. Most of all non-profit resources go towards protecting and supporting children and women. Society strains to help the vulnerable. Women and Children. Why? Because often they are not protected and supported by the men in their lives. Weak men, abusive men, selfish men. But there is hope! Real Men…Amadoda Oqobo…can change that. In our recent launch workshop men from all over our Philippi community joined together to discuss what it means to be a real man. The outcome? Well so far, four primary values have emerged: 1. Real Men LOVE, PROTECT and RESPECT their partner 2. Real Men are REAL FATHERS to their children 3. Real Men STAND UP FOR OTHERS in their community 4. Real Men DON’T RAPE or commit acts of violence Finally, the Men’s conversation has started. Watch this space for more. Join in the conversation. What do you think a Real Man looks like?
1 Comment
When Athenkosi joined the Beautiful Gate After School Programme in 2014 he was in grade 4. He wasn't doing very well at school, at home he was not listening to his parents, and at school the teachers were concerned about him. "When he first came along, he was disruptive. I was worried about him, so I referred him to our social worker." Athenkosi met with our social worker, and our child care workers visited him at home. His parents were invited to a meeting at Beautiful Gate. And now, a year later... Athenkosi has changed. He has become a soccer star, and has become a respectful little boy, at school, at home and at after care. "We are also very proud of him as his tutors! He makes us proud!" Athenkosi passed grade 4 very well and is now doing grade 5. Beautiful Gate's After School Programme reach more than 200 children every week day afternoon at the Beautiful Gate centre and other sites around the community. Read more about our After School Programme on our website, or if you would like to help us reach more children like Athenkosi, please make a donation online today.
Our ongoing impact
Presently Beautiful Gate supports 60 Community Guardians in Philippi and Crossroads. We also continue to grow by providing parent and community guardian training to over 300 parents every year with many destitute families receiving food parcels, counselling and other support. After School Clubs provide homework, cultural activities and sports to 200 children in partnership with Vukani, Bongolwethu and Zanemfundo Primary Schools. The centre also provides HIV treatment to 540 children and teens in partnership with the Department of Health at Crossroads 2 CHC in Old Crossroads. Over 6000 visitors come through the Youth Resource Centre every year and plans are underway to run career guidance for four High Schools in 2015 - New Eisleben, Phakama, Phandolwazi and Vuyiseka High Schools. With all this, we are excited and humbled by the strength we see in local initiatives and plan to continue to invest in partnerships with children, parents and community based structures and organisations throughout 2015. Thank you for your ongoing support, Vaughan Stannard Executive Director |
Crossroads ChildWelcome to a window into the lives and issues facing children in the Crossroads community on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Most of these stories centre around the children and families we work with at Beautiful Gate South Africa, a Christian non-profit organisation whose mission is to show God's love as we care for and protect children, empower and preserve families and mobilise our community to do the same. Archives
February 2021
Categories
All
|