The ‘Celebration of Love and Value’ was organised by The Bright Stars Mentorship Programme, a project of the Peace Agency which matches vulnerable children with trained adult mentors who provide much-needed guidance and support on a weekly basis.

The organisation currently has 101 mentors in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. These mentors work with children in eight Child and Youth Care Centres. Circumstances including poverty, neglect and abuse have resulted in these children becoming wards of the state, which is where the role of mentors, child and youth care workers becomes pivotal.

“One of the primary responsibilities of child and youth care workers and social workers is preparing these children for life outside the home which can include reunification with family members,” explains Sandi Bennett, relationship development mManager for Bright Stars. “This is where either parents or other family members have reached a place where they are able to take responsibility for the child. When children reach 18 years, they are of age and leave the children’s home for new adventures.”

This is the case for 15 children who have been residing at Durban Child and Youth Care Centre the past few years and will be ‘graduating’ to new homes next year. Of the 15 children, nine are mentees within the Bright Stars programme.

“This is an extremely emotional time, not only for the children but for the mentors, child and youth care workers and social workers who love these children as their own,” said Bennett. “We felt it was important to mark this occasion with a meaningful ceremony to show love and support for everyone involved in this process.”

In addition to the youngsters, mentees, child and youth care workers, the event was attended by representatives from Spec-Savers – donors of the five Spekboom trees – as well as Nhlanhla Ngcoya from GCINAMASIKO Arts & Heritage Trust who gave the children an inspiring address.

Razia Pillay, Spec-Savers area manager for the KwaZulu-Natal region, says: "At Spec-Savers we realise that global warming is a fact of life and that we have to be part of the solution to save our planet.”

“We are doing this by planting one of nature’s best kept secrets, a plant known as Spekboom. This is an evergreen succulent that can reach a height of 2.5m and is normally found in dry, rocky areas. It also does well in watered flowerbeds. Spec-Savers South Africa, along with the Wilderness Foundation, has planted thousands of Spekboom trees around the country to help build a greener future,” adds Pillay. 

The 15 children residing at Durban Child and Youth Care Centre come from 10 families and the tree planting serves as inspiration for their new beginning while reminding the children’s home of the youngsters who had passed through its doors. Each child received a Certificate of Value, a crocheted heart as well as books and book bags donated by literary outreach organisation, the LEARN Project.

Through Durban Girls’ High School isiZulu teacher, Nonhlanhla Zondi, Bright Stars arranged for each child to receive a special farewell poem which again reiterated their value in the world. Zondi adapted three poems, one for younger children, one for the teenage boys and another for the teenage girls, which were handed over on the day.

“It is a really special time because these children are leaving for new and exciting things ahead,” says Bennett. “The Bright Stars mentorship programme is in its fourth year and this is our first ‘Celebration of Love and Value’ commemorative event which we hope to continue in the future.”

Bright Stars relies solely on volunteer mentors who donate one hour a week for one year to mentor one vulnerable child. Every month there is a focus on a new theme including certain real-world practicalities taught to the older youth such as opening a bank account or setting up an email address.

“Through the mentorship programme, we encourage the acknowledgement of self-worth, restoring each child and ensuring they understand that they are validated and loved. In this way, they go out into the world with self-esteem and contribute positively wherever they find themselves.”

For more information, visit www.brightstarsmentors.org.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook.