Heads and deputy heads of boys’ schools around Gauteng are currently combining efforts to run the BoysForAction programme.
The programme was formed this year by Daanyaal Ballim who is the deputy head boy of St John’s College and Wanagwa Peter Nyasulu who is executive head of Student Wellness at St Stithians College. Daanyaal said the programme has transcended their competitive nature and united the boys. He said the top nine boys’ schools St John’s College, St Stithians Boys College, King Edward’s School, Parktown Boys, Jeppe High School for Boys, St Alban’s College, St Benedict’s College, St David’s Marist Inanda and Pretoria Boys are all part of the initiative.
The deputy head boy said BoysForAction is all about taking action, “It is a boys’ schools driven initiative aimed at tackling social issues faced by the country by educating, creating awareness and fundraising. It is multifaceted as it deals with all kinds of social issues, be it xenophobia, gender-based violence, climate change (natural disaster) and more.”
Daanyaal added that being cognisant of the position of privileged schools they are in, they want to use that privilege, resources and social influence for the greater good. “Furthermore, we recognised a lack of continuation of projects by leadership bodies within our schools resulting in no meaningful progress being made. Therefore, BoysForAction aims to lay the foundation in which succeeding year groups can build upon and grow initiatives within our communities.”
The boys also recognised the lack of cohesion between boys’ schools which they saw as an untapped opportunity and resource of change. They saw the mass impact they could have on communities due to sharing of ideas form the schools which are a part of BoysForActionRecent as it is, the programme has played a massive role during this time of crisis. To pick one example out of their many active works; through a social media challenge, BoysForAction raised R4 710 for Islamic Relief SA and the Solidarity Fund. BoysForAction will also join efforts with Parktown High School for Girls in collecting warm clothes for girls in need this winter.
The committees will gladly accept clothes for boys and girls from residents.
Daanyaal said, “We hope that BoysForAction will become a consistent tool for change in our communities which will allow the youth to help those around them.”
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