About us:

We form part of a human rights and youth empowerment organization called Africa Unite. Our Africa Unite School Club Program is operating in fourteen low fee/ no fee High Schools in different parts of South Africa. The clubs are structured to replicate the government and thus prompt students to see their schools as a country that they must lead as their governing board. Since the lockdown forced all schools to close with immediate effect, we support our at-risk learners with free academic resources, a WhatsApp helpline for victims of gender-based violence and weekly social-emotional coaching sessions via Zoom. During these sessions, the participants learn how to set their own academic and personal goals and progress on their journey towards greater success and greater confidence. Attendance is free of charge and data costs get covered to ensure equal access.

Background:

Township schools have been known as places of drugs, gangsterism, teenage pregnancy and high dropout rates for far too long. Our current education system is still predominantly focused on academic achievements and often neglects the social and emotional needs of children. This model no longer works in the 21^st century. Schools need to develop a holistic approach to learning that enables students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Research suggests that investing in Social Emotional Learning has a positive ripple effect on teachers, principals, families, communities, workplaces and society at large. 

Project description:

Our team is currently developing a toolbox for Social Emotional Learning with over fifty well researched games and classroom activities that help young learners understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. We also included a chapter on trauma and how schools can gradually transform  into safe and inclusive learning centers where all students feel welcomed and supported.

Our goal:

Our goal for the upcoming weeks and months is to share this toolbox with as many schools as possible. Furthermore, we want to offer complimentary online seminars and newsletter support for educators where we introduce the concept of SEL and show teachers how they can incorporate these tools into their new classroom realities.

Target group:

Even though this toolbox is primarily designed for high school teachers and school authorities, we also highly recommend this manual to any parent, youth worker, after-school educator, primary school teacher or for personal use. The activities are fun, engaging and highly relevant in today’s everchanging world.

Result:

With your support we can expand the reach of the SEL toolbox beyond our current partner schools and offer this resource to more low fee schools in and out of South Africa.