A women’s fund organisation held an Empowering the Boy Child programme for learners of Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School over the weekend.

The project aimed at educating and motivating boys to help reduce gender-based violence (GBV), drug abuse, crime and gambling.

Aysegul Kandas, the founder of the NPO called Awqaf SA, said the organisation holds monthly workshops at township schools in Gauteng and other provinces.

Awqaf SA is a South African non-profit organisation focused on community development through the Islamic concept of waqf (making endowments).

The organisation visited the school in Mamelodi East to discuss GBV and gambling on Saturday.

Kandas said the project was attended by 50 boys from the school. Fifteen voluntary speakers from various professions discussed important issues like substance abuse, gender roles, and crime.

The organisation also invited a senior advocate from the National Prosecuting Authority to explain the consequences of crime.

She said after the workshop, they also spoke to parents about issues of absentee fathers, domestic violence, and irresponsible parenting.

“The main goal is to show parents they are not alone and that we want to provide support.”

Kandas added that they have partnered with the Basic Education and Social Development departments to do follow-ups with the schools to see the progress of the learners.

Her message to parents is to get involved in their children’s lives, especially absent fathers and show them love and support them.

The learners said they have learned a lot from the project and that they will stay away from doing drugs, crimes and GBV.

Speaking on behalf of Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School, Matshidiso Lecweleng said the school is honoured to have this programme because most of their learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds, child-headed or broken families.

Lecweleng said the programme will empower them as boys.

“The boys’ empowerment is very good for the learners because they are taught at a younger age how to handle and behave. They are going a long way,” said Lecweleng.

She said she hopes the programme will grow and visit all the schools in the country.

Lecweleng said the learners who attended the programme should share what they have learned from the programme with their friends.

The Boy Child programme has been successful, as last year, 11 workshops were held around KZN, Free State, North West, Gauteng and Cape Town.

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