GEORGE NEWS - A project has been launched to encourage Thembalethu men to play a responsible role in their children's upbringing, thus engaging them in the fight against crime as the absence of a father in a child's life might lead them to resort to unfavourable activities.
Thembalethu Community Police Forum (CPF) together with the police have embarked on a series of workshops to engage men in being responsible parents. The workshops are facilitated by an international organisation called The World Needs a Father, who trains communities of men to understand the value of their roles as fathers, and give them the tools to train other men around them.
The first workshop was held at Tyholorha Primary School on Thursday 8 November where men, and even a few women, met to discuss some of the challenges faced by fathers.
According to Xolani Henge, chairperson of the CPF, the campaign was launched in reaction to the recent spate of violence among youth in Thembalethu - some resulting in death - as many of the youngsters involved come from homes where there are no father figures.
"The absence of a father at home is one of the main problems in our society. Fathers are the pillars and role models at home. It is they that children look up to for strength and inspiration. Once children, especially boys, don't have these father figures at home, they turn to look outside for role models who unfortunately lead them to gangsterism, drugs and all sorts of other bad things," said Henge.
Henge emphasised that they are not saying the absence of a father necessarily leads to unruly children, however, it is one of the contributing factors.
"Children who grew up without fathers can become angry children who go outside to look for advice and father figures. We encourage young fathers to also take part in these workshops because young fathers are sometimes less responsible, they don't play an active role in their children's lives," he said.
Mzukisi Eagen, facilitator of The World Needs a Father, said children need to be encouraged at all times, especially when they have done something good, and be told when they are wrong. "They need to hear the words of encouragement and love coming from their own parents' mouths. It will make a child confident when she or he knows that their parents love them," said Eagen.
The last workshop will take place today, Thursday 15 November, at the Thembalethu community hall at 18:00.
All fathers are invited to be part of these interesting and encouraging programmes to help to build the nation.
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