Kidz2Kidz takes a stand against bullying

Bullying has been around since the beginning of time, and the real-world effect it has on people – specifically children – can be devastating.

One non-profit organisation looking to take a stand against this cruel reality is Kidz2Kidz, a non-governmental organisation focused on uplifting South African children. It also brought the Santa Shoebox Project.

Kidz2Kidz’s year-long programme ‘Cool2BeKind’ does not only aim to educate and create awareness but also to provide resources to those who are victims of bullying. The project teaches parents and educators how to identify the signs of bullying, and what to do if it takes place. To ensure that the message of kindness is constantly communicated to learners, the Cool2BeKind team provides training programmes where they train educators about how to conduct anti-bullying sessions in their classrooms and schools.

Dee Boehner, founder and national coordinator at Kidz2Kidz, said, “With the rise of social media, bullying has taken a cruel new turn enabled by highly-visibility platforms and exacerbated by the sense of perceived anonymity a perpetrator feels from behind a computer screen.

“Those who suffer the most are the ones who are not yet fully equipped to handle persecution and the accompanying emotional turmoil – children. Therefore, it is critical for us to start the education process at school level if we want to see a difference in the generations to come.

“It is equally important for us to also start making a noise in the broader community that will assist in changing the current narrative where victims are led to believe that bullying is a normal, adolescent rite of passage.”

Details: www.kidz2kidz.co.za

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