Improving Children's Safety and Wellbeing

What is it about?

In response to widespread violence affecting children's well-being in South Africa, the Adopt-a-School Foundation launched the Thari programme to address issues like gangs, substance abuse, and classroom disruptions. This article shares findings from a pilot project in Botshabelo, Free State, where such problems were common. The larger study used both qualitative and quantitative research, but this article focuses only on interviews with participants. It looked at children's behaviour and changes in schools after the Thari programme was introduced. The results showed a significant decrease in gang activity and social issues, leading to better behaviour and fewer disruptions in class due to the programme's psychosocial services.

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Photo by Roman Mager on Unsplash

Photo by Roman Mager on Unsplash

Why is it important?

What makes this work unique and timely is its focus on addressing the immediate and pressing issue of violence and behavioural challenges in South African schools, particularly in township areas like Botshabelo. The Thari programme offers a targeted, community-driven intervention aimed at tackling issues like gangsterism, substance abuse, and classroom disruptions, which have severe impacts on children's psychosocial wellbeing and academic performance. This initiative fills a critical gap in school-based support services. The timeliness lies in its response to current social challenges, such as increasing youth violence and mental health issues in vulnerable communities, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. With disruptions to education and heightened social issues during the pandemic, programs like Thari offer essential psychosocial support to help children readjust, reduce disruptive behaviour, and create safer school environments. By showcasing the programme's early successes, the study contributes to an urgent conversation about effective ways to enhance child protection and wellbeing in challenging environments.