Jes, a rape survivor who heads up the Jes Foord Foundation, spoke to senior pupils on Tuesday, 6 August about her ordeal, which occurred in March 2008 at Shongweni Dam.
“I formed the Foundation to help restore lives after rape by way of a number of initiatives and activities designed to change rape victims into rape survivors. I want to educate people and help them realise that there is life after rape.”said Jes.
In spite of the school hall being filled to capacity, when Jes spoke, she addressed each pupil individually. During the last hour of her talk, she gave pupils three scenarios on sex, drugs and alcohol and the consequences thereof. “Everyone makes their own choices, therefore everything you do has a consequence.” She encouraged pupils to make the right choices, to prevent regrets later in life.
The school also collected handbags for the Foundation, which are given to victims on their journey to becoming survivors. These are packed with a face cloth, panties (medium or large), sanitary towels, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, deodorant, body lotion (small), bubble bath (small or decanted), razor, comb, tissues, chocolate, hair clips/bands, small soft toy.
Items urgently needed for the bags are toothbrushes, toothpaste and roll-on. Organisations in the community which will be able to benefit from the bags are urged to contact the Foundation on 031-765-4559.
Other programmes held during the week focused on cyber bullying, creating a violence-free zone, a presentation by Brothers for Life from Wentworth and pregnancy awareness. The week will conclude with a placard demonstration outside the school on Thursday, 8 August, followed by a poetry recital.
