The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department recently hosted a Boys for Change workshop in Atlantis where participants had the opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn new skills and embrace positive role models.
The workshop took place on Wednesday, 16 March 2022 in Ward 29, Atlantis and attracted school-going young men from areas such as Mamre, Pella and Atlantis.
Most of the participants are faced with social and economic challenges on a daily basis.
One of the key focus areas of the workshop was to encourage the participants to identify and embrace positive role models in their lives; to identify and relate to role players who have a positive impact in their lives and how they can grow to be good role models through their actions and relationships in future.
The Boys for Change workshop was facilitated in a series of sessions that covered topics like:
• what defines you as a man
• what is your role as a man in the community
• what is your role as a leader
• how to set proper goals
The goal of the workshop was to encourage the young men to model positive behavioural attributes of compassion, sensitivity, generosity, creativity, and intellect as traits that can foster good character and a positive attitude.
The fourth session of the workshop included a graduation ceremony at the Mamre Primary School, where each young man was presented with some tools to aid them in journaling, planning, and being job-ready.
‘Creating opportunities where boys can be equipped to handle the many social challenges faced by our youth is an important component of the City’s social upliftment programmes. Boys will one day become men and fathers with responsibilities. Focusing on positive outcomes and the many character traits that can be acquired through these workshops is important on their path towards adulthood. The workshop also created opportunities to learn new skills and strengthen behavioural patterns that can positively influence those around them and equip them to become role models and responsible citizens,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
Source: City Of Cape Town