A bright yellow bench has become an anchor for children struggling with bullying. On the grounds of Cape Town’s Groote Schuur High School, it invites students to sit, take a breather, and talk to one another. One of them is Dineo Mokonyama. She was bullied when she was younger, causing her self-esteem to crumble. Over time, Mokonyama forgave her bully and healed. Now, the Grade 11 learner is a passionate anti-bullying campaigner. “I really want to be a pillar of strength,” she says. With the Kind Heart Bench Project, Mokonyama is spreading a message to other students – they’re not alone.
Children experiencing bullying may suffer in silence, and this can cause anxiety and depression. To encourage students to open up, wellness practitioner Bradley Bailey began the Kind Heart Bench Project at Mokonyama’s school in 2014, providing workshops on improving peer relationships and mental health. Since then, benches have been planted on the grounds of several other schools as a safe space for students to communicate their challenges. Encouraging compassion for both victims and bullies, it enables them to express themselves in a way that doesn’t harm others. The initiative empowers students to understand each other’s experiences and feelings, and recognise people’s value.
“We've seen more and more students engaging with one another around kindness and mental health,” Bailey says. While they may continue to face the ebb and flow of life’s difficulties, the bench will always be there to welcome them. It’s here that learners like Mokonyama can find comfort and support. “What I want kids to know is that your experiences are valid,” she says. “Better days are coming.”
You can contribute to the work of the Kind Heart Bench Project here.
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