Foundation encourages candid conversations with children
Mangoedi Phuti Mashatole said she founded that A re Boleleng Foundation to stress the importance of communication in our families and society in general.
POLOKWANE – A re Boleleng Foundation opens up platform for necessary conversations with boys and girls.
The foundation was founded last year and will be hosting an annual ‘Conversation with my daughter’ and ‘Conversation with my son’ on October 8 and 9 respectively. This is set to take place at Gae Country Lodge in Dalmada.
The founder, Mangoedi Phuti Mashatole explained that she started this initiative because she saw the need and importance of speaking candidly with children from a young age.
“Society has a tendency of waiting for a mistake to happen to start talking about rehabilitation. At that time, it’s already too late, the damage is done and this can be corrected by having open conversations,” she said.
Mashatole further explained that she founded the foundation to stress the importance of communication in our families and society in general.
“The lack of communication is the root of all problems in all aspects of life. If we communicate openly, we can avoid the dangers of dating and peer pressure. Most mistakes can be avoided,” she said.
She added that she realised that there are many things that children wish to talk about to their parents but never get the opportunity to, because the topics are considered taboo. “This year we have our boys on board, we realised boys are not given that microphone to speak up even though both girls and boys go through the same stages in life. They too need attention,” she said.
On the day of the conversation, there will be a social worker, psychologist, life coaches, prison wardens and representatives from drug and alcohol abuse centres. Mashatole hopes this will assist children to make the right choices when facing peer pressure, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand themselves better.
