Thembisa charity helps learners return to school with confidence
NPO leads a campaign that braids more than 70 learners before schools open.
For more than two decades, Bophelong-Empilweni New Life Community Project has been supporting vulnerable members of the Thembisa community by providing care, skills development and empowerment programmes.
The registered non-profit organisation was established in 1999 in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and has since expanded its services to address the changing needs of families in the community.
The organisation provides psychosocial support to orphaned and vulnerable children, assists households affected by poverty, HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses and gender-based violence, and offers counselling services.
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Its programmes also include daily cooked meals for vulnerable children, educational support, life skills programmes, school holiday activities, food gardening training and bakery skills development, with the aim of helping individuals and families become more self-reliant.
On July 20, the organisation hosted a back-to-school hair drive where more than 70 learners from Thembisa received hair treatments to help them return to school feeling confident and prepared for the third term.
Founder of Bophelong-Empilweni New Life Community Project, Mavis Mahlangu, said the initiative was inspired by the organisation’s daily interactions with the children it supports.
“We noticed that many of our beneficiaries returned to school without their hair being done because their families could not afford salon costs due to financial challenges. We believe every child deserves to start the school term feeling confident, neat and proud of themselves,” she said.
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Mahlangu said the initiative was about more than appearance, as feeling confident can positively influence children’s emotional well-being and their ability to focus on learning.
“For many children, looking presentable is about more than appearance. It boosts their self-esteem, helps them feel accepted among their peers and allows them to focus on learning instead of worrying about challenges at home,” she said.
The organisation provided school-appropriate hairstyles, including straight-back cornrows, all-back braids and other simple protective styles that complied with school grooming requirements.
According to Mahlangu, the community responded positively, with many parents and guardians expressing appreciation because they were unable to afford hair appointments before schools reopened.
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The initiative was made possible through the dedication of Bophelong-Empilweni staff members and volunteers who contributed their time and skills.
By the end of the drive, 78 children from beneficiary families had their hair braided and styled ahead of the new school term.
Mahlangu said one of the biggest challenges highlighted by the initiative was the financial pressure faced by many families, who often have to prioritise essential needs such as food, transport and school supplies over personal care expenses.
“The highlight of the event was seeing the joy, excitement and renewed confidence on the children’s faces. Many proudly admired their new hairstyles, smiled for photographs and expressed how excited they were to return to school,” she said.
