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The Tongaat School, which serves just over 1000 pupils in the Hamabanathi Township, was chosen a few months ago to benefit from the Ubuntu Peace Project’s pilot Schools Project. An energized Ubuntu Peace Project founder, Bobby Hackland, joined her two volunteers at the school to see firsthand, what they have been sharing with the children.
“The power lies in our children as future leaders. By getting them to understand the importance of ‘ubuntu’, we can spread it around the world positively and powerfully,” said Bobby.
After much consideration into the nature of the school, its location and the kinds of children that attend the school, Schools Project Leader, Ntobeko Sikosana, chose Nkosibomvu Secondary School to pilot the project. Ntobeko and his childhood friend, Alex Nonkwelo, both grew up in Tongaat and so, feel a connection to the local community. They use workshops, essay writing and discussions to explain the importance of ‘ubuntu’ to the children.
“The voices of the children have always been powerful and our learners hold the key to global and personal transformation. The children’s response so far has been fantastic and I feel that they want hope for a better future,” reflected Bobby.
Speaking to the group of children who have chosen to take part in the project, it’s clear that they feel it has enhanced their school and home lives. They spoke about how their interaction with Ntobeko and Alex had become a highlight in their school week and how, through joining the group, they had made new friends and found comfort and support in those friendships.
The Ubuntu Peace Project was launched in March 2007 with the hope of ending violence and crime in South Africa and spreading peace globally.
“By focusing on fighting crime and violence, all you will get is more crime and violence. The obvious thing then would be to focus on what we want, which is peace and kindness,” explained founder, Bobby. “We aim to change the way that people think and act, to change the collective mindset from one of fear and bitterness, to one of love and peace. We want to encourage South Africans to realize that ‘Peace begins with me!’ ” she enthused.
Bobby places emphasis on spreading Dr Deepak Chopra’s global movement for non-violence in the form of ‘I take the Vow’, where people take a vow of non-violence in their thoughts, speech and actions and she has done this at schools, a concert and a seminar with great effect.
On Thursday, following a grand concert performance by the pupils of Nkosibomvu Secondary School, Bobby and Ntobeko gave the children the opportunity to take the vow. Many hands shot up as they were asked whether they wished to take part and a reverent silence prevailed as the children made their promise.
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