Shine bright like a diamond

Multiple other activities were offered to ensure the development of self-confidence.

Badisa West Coast facilitated its first Bright Star Life Skills Programme at their office in Vredenburg, in the Western Cape of South Africa in June 2024.

The Bright Star Programme was started with the goal to improve the emotional wellbeing of children and to teach them to work through their emotions and express them appropriately.

The programme aims to improve the self-esteem of children who attend the sessions and to change their way of thinking, as well as their general outlook on life.

Bright Star is offered to all children in the community between the ages of 10 and 13 years old. Their parents or foster parents also attend sessions to gain more knowledge and a deeper understanding of how to strengthen their connection with their children.

A total of 21 children attended the programme on 18 and 19 June 2024, as well as 6 foster parents on 20 June.

During the sessions attended by the children, they had to complete various activities that were aimed at broadening their knowledge of their emotions and how to master them.

All the sessions were offered by Lene November from Badisa’s head office. November had the children participate in making scrapbooks to learn more about their feelings, how to perceive them, understand them and express them.

Through forming connotations between emotions and colour, the children found new ways to express themselves, without immediately knowing why or what emotions they were feeling. Communicating more effectively about their feelings to their parents or foster parents is the main goal.

Multiple other activities were also offered to ensure the development of self-confidence and the improvement of communication channels.

They were encouraged to believe in themselves and the decisions they make.

Imitation ‘diamonds’ were handed out to the children to symbolise their value.

A meal and juice were provided to the children during their Bright Star sessions.

The world deserves to see the light that shines bright inside of them.

The foster parents and parents who attended the sessions, learnt how to understand and support their children better, and were taught to read and understand body language and behaviour.

November informed them that there are different ways of parenting and they need to adapt to the child’s needs. Most of the parents spoke amongst each other and shared what works for them when building trust with their children. They were all very thankful for the opportunity to meet more people who share their experiences and struggles.

According to the children who attended the sessions, they truly enjoyed the experience.

Badisa West Coast’s vision is for every child to be safe and loved. Children should know they are precious diamonds and should be treated as such.

Compiled by Bea Buys