A non-profit that connects boys without father figures to MENtors is inspiring big changes in our country. This festive season, their ‘Character Vouchers’ offer the chance to donate a gift that can’t be held, but felt:
South Africa (30 November 2023) — As the holiday season approaches and many of us ready our sleighs for the traditional end-of-year and festive gift-giving, the opportunity to give a gift that can’t be held, but felt, shines hopefully for young boys in South Africa through special ‘Character Vouchers’.
Non-profit organisation The Character Company has created this gift giving initiative; encouraging anyone the opportunity to be part of raising the next generation of men in our country under a simple premise. Instead of goods, these gifts encompass something that lasts a lot longer—character, and the opportunity for boys without father figures in their lives to experience the influence positive male role models.
With an estimated 70% of South African children growing up in single-parent homes and 4 out of 5 boys lacking a consistent, positive male role model, the need for positive change is urgent. Broken masculinity is associated with the country’s high rates of gender-based violence, crime, gangsterism, substance abuse and other mental disorders. Too often, the life of a fatherless boy is marked by school absenteeism, poor educational outcomes and lack of opportunities to excel in other areas such as sports, arts and social interactions.
TCC runs a countrywide MENtorship programme connecting fatherless boys with volunteer male mentors who help to instil in them values such as kindness, honesty, respect, courage and self-discipline over a long-term relationship. The program includes boys frequently meeting up with their mentor and participating in healthy, outdoors-based events and activities such as weekend camps and adventure trips.
The Character Vouchers
There are six Character Vouchers, each representing a core value based on the TCC mentorship program.
The Kindness Voucher represents developing empathy, compassion, and generosity, and provides mentorship for one boy for a month. Emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and integrity, the Honesty Voucher enables a boy to attend an Awesome Weekend Camp.
With a focus on long-term impact, the Respect Voucher reflects developing self-worth and treating others with tolerance and understanding and supports three months of mentorship. The Courage Voucher allows a boy to join the yearly Once-in-a-lifetime Adventure trip to build resilience and confidence. Highlighting the importance of nurturing a sense of responsibility and control, the Self-Discipline Voucherprovides six months of mentorship.
The most comprehensive option, the Five Values Voucher sets a boy on a life-affirming journey in 2024 and makes possible a year of mentorship, attendance at three Awesome Weekend camps, and participation in the Once-in-a-lifetime Adventure trip.
Founder and CEO of TCC, Jaco van Schalkwyk says, “Our goal is to turn the tide against the culture of violence in South Africa by helping to raise boys to be good men. The scale of the problem of boys growing up in tough economic conditions and without positive father figures is shocking, and we have so many single mothers desperate for the chance for their boys to take part. Through ‘Gifts with Character’ we’re inviting South Africans to make a difference to our country during the holiday season by enabling the enrollment of more boys in 2024.”
The team are encouraging individuals and corporates to consider the one-of-a-kind gift. However, for those who cannot purchase a voucher, the opportunity to sign up as a MENtor is another top-tier option.
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