Anti-bullying awareness campaign continues at schools
"I was called all the names under the sun. For me to share my story is very important, because it made me who I am today."
A new anti-bullying project by the Moot child protection hotline aims to educate children on the dangers of online activity and social media.
Step in Their Shoes project features various events about bullying, dangers of social media and electronic devices.
Last week, Danie van Loggerenberg of the hotline, as well as Basoni Sono, Zelna Faurie, Alletta Zilimbola and Kirsty Opperman of the Moot hotline, and Ancelize van der Kooi of Kilnerpark Security, visited Alma School with special education needs.
Actress and presenter Sonet “Adira” Behr and model Sasha-Lee Taylor have been named ambassadors of the hotline.
Taylor (25), who has been in the model industry for 12 years, is an avid philanthropist and published author.
“I have written children’s books and my latest book is focused on anti-bullying.
“The campaign is called ‘Learn to read and learn to lead’.
“It’s about Tata who is facing bullying, how he faces it, what types of bullying you get and how to overcome it.”
Her message to children is that they need to educate themselves about bullying.
“I strongly believe if you have self-respect and if you love yourself, you are not going to be put into those situations where it is going to be life-threatening.
“Stand up for yourself and the kids that are around you to eliminate bullies.”
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Taylor said that she was bullied throughout primary and high school.
“I was called all the names under the sun. For me to share my story is very important because it made me who I am today.”
Behr, an actress who will play the lead role in Karoo Jagter which will start filming next year, said that anti-bullying is close to her heart as she also is a mother.
“If I can help a child out there that are a victim of bullying, it makes me a better person.”
“You are not better than anyone else.”
Van Loggerenberg addressed learners between the ages of 14 and 18.
The educational programme includes outlining what the dangers of online activities and social media are, how to avoid them and what the consequences are for getting involved in illegal activities.
“With the continuous exposure children have to the internet and other online activities, it is crucial to visit schools to discuss the dangers lurking on the web.
“It has become clear that children share too much personal information with strangers,” he said.
He added that bullying is real and children do not know how to deal with it.
“How you see yourself and how treat your peers and your teachers, goes hand-in-hand.
“You might see it as a status symbol now, but in a few years, it will not matter to anyone.
“You need to have respect for what your school stands for,” he said.
Van Loggerenberg added that bullying is unacceptable.
“Children who are bullied, are too scared to go outside during break time or even come to school as they are afraid that they will be bullied.
“If you are being bullied, speak to your teachers and we also have a team that will always assist where we can.”
Deputy principal of Alma School, Corinne Human said that Van Loggerenberg’s visit to the school came at the right time.
“We are in the process of an anti-bullying campaign.
“The children do not always know how to handle situations as their level of intelligence is that of a seven-year-old,” Human said.
“Children are vulnerable and we as teachers need to look out for our children.
“We are grateful for the team who spent the morning with us,” she said.
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Alma School’s founding dates back to 1963, when parents of disabled children formed a care group, giving one another a bit of free time to accomplish other things.
It is now a departmental school, resorting under the Gauteng department of education providing special education for severe intellectually disabled children of all races.
At present approximately 384 learners aged between five and 18 attend the school.
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