Have a look at our 2-page midyear report to see what we have been up to!
It’s been a very busy start to 2023. We enrolled more learners into our SoHK for Schools programme, added two new schools, so needed to double our coaching staff! We grew the NextGenMen (NGM) programme, reaching many more men and boys and also partnered with lots of other organisations to run NGM themselves! PLUS, we launched the NxtGenWomen programme!
Read the report HERE
In a remarkable display of support and athletic prowess, Jon Hunter-Parsonage, our CEO, completed the 87km Comrades Marathon and raised an impressive R24,000.
The funds raised during this remarkable event will serve as a vital resource for SoHK, enabling us to expand our existing mental wellness programs and reach an even greater number of adolescents in need. Through a holistic approach that combines sport, mentoring, and counseling, SoHK aims to provide a nurturing environment for young people to develop resilience, self-confidence, and crucial life skills.
The R24,000 will undoubtedly make a significant impact in the lives of countless adolescents, as SoHK continues to inspire, uplift, and foster mental wellness.
For more information or to make a donation towards the SoHK programme, feel free to visit this link.
Simon and Jon, our Comrades heroes!
We are so grateful to Simon and Jon for raising money for School of Hard Knocks during this year’s 87km Comrades.
Read more about and SUPPORT THEIR MISSION HERE
All donations will be used to help us grow from reaching 400 at-risk adolescents to 600 in 2024.
NEW FACILITATORS: Project NextGenMen (NGM)
In September 2022, 170+ men from 10 soccer teams in Khayelitsha started their NextGenMen journey as participants. In December, the various teams nominated their NGM Champions, men who they feel show leadership and willingness to be NGM ambassadors in their respective teams and communities. They have been receiving additional training on conflict resolution, community resource mapping plus lay counseling skills.
Recently, 15 Champions completed the 3-week NGM Facilitator Training. These men can now run their own NGM programmes in their communities and increase the reach of this impactful project.
We are excited to see how Project NextGenMen keeps growing!
Project #NextGenMen is supported by the Embassy of Ireland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the New Zealand High Commission.
Our NxtGenWomen Pilot is complete! Our findings of the impact have been released.
NxtGenWomen is designed to provide adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) with the mental health resources to deal with the challenges they face today.
In partnership with Badgers Football Academy, School of Hard Knocks (SoHK) Coaches delivered 6 curriculum sessions on 6 consecutive Tuesday afternoons in February and March 2023.
The pilot consisted of 17 girls aged 12-16 with the following findings:
88% reported improved emotional intelligence
71% reported improved self regulation
71% reported improve distress tolerance
Badgers Football Academy Coach reported on one particular individual in the program.
"Violet (pseudonym) was really struggling a few weeks ago. She was dealing with a lot at home and was aggresive and crying a lot and withdrawn. During this programme we have seen her grow, take charge of her emotions and even step up as a leader in her team."
The findings in the report below reflect School of Hard Knock’s desire to support both men AND women by engaging, motivating, and inspiring individuals through the power of mental health, counseling and sports. It takes piloting new programs like NxtGenWomen to understand the impact and need of projects like NxtGenWomen to inspire the youth of South Africa and beyond.
Click here to download the report of the NxtGenWomen Pilot Program
SoHK Intern Coach: Siphosethu (Elvis) Gqada
At SoHK SA it is vital for us to develop the soft skills of the Intern Coaches. One of the major skills we focus on is being able to see when a child is struggling, even if it isn’t always obvious. Not all children reach out for support, so it is key for the Coaches to pick up on non-verbal and environmental cues.
Read the interview below with Intern Coach, Siphosethu (Elvis) Gqada, about how he identified a child who needed a bit of support, and what the plan is for providing the necessary:
Could you tell us about a SoHK participant you have connected with?
Rust (pseudonym) is a SoHK participant who comes from the North African countries (not sure about the specific country) and has just arrived in South Africa this year.
He is a very shy and socially anxious individual as he is new to the environment, plus he is not used to speaking English on a daily basis. Our first 1:1 was on the 1st session we delivered at the school and it happened only because I observed that he was very quiet and none of the students were actually speaking to him. I approached him after he chose to step aside from the session and just watch.
Why do you feel you and Rust have connected?
Through our conversation I found out that he’s not strong in English, so a lot of people do not quickly understand what he says because of his accent as well. He is also very new to rugby (just like I am) and he is used to soccer so I understand the shyness of trying a new thing and being scared of being judged by the other students.
How do you plan to strengthen this connection?
Rust keeps removing himself from the sessions more and more and through our conversations I am finding out that he has nobody to speak to in school, even at home he doesn’t have a lot of friends (since he is new) so he is alone, most of the time. What I like about him is that he is okay with just being around even if he doesn’t really engage, at least he is open to conversating with me when there is a session happening.
In our last session I called one of the boys that I saw speaking to Rust at least once, and asked him if he could sort of give Rust an orientation and take him through the stuff they do in school. Plus, I want him to have some company in school so that he could get a bit used to and comfortable with the new environment. I am hoping this buddy system helps Rust, I shall monitor the progress in our future engagements.
