The Character Company founded by Jaco van Schalkwyk is committed to making sure that boy children don’t feel the void left by their absent fathers.
Most children have experienced how it is like being raised by a single mother who has to divide her time between pursuing a career, studies and raising the children.
Van Schalkwyk told Beautiful News that he too was raised by a single mother.
“I grew up without someone being there for me and guiding me through some of the most important questions that a boy has,” Van Schalkwyk said.
To help guide other children through the journey called life he established a mentoring organisation.
He uses this organisation to break the cycle of absent fathers in South Africa. According to Van Schalkwyk, research has shown that approximately 42% of South African children live in female-headed households, and 21% with neither parent. Children without positive role models are more likely to struggle to form healthy relationships and have behavioural problems.
The research also touches on how misguided masculinity can lead to men becoming detached from their own emotions, making way for issues like mental health problems, stress, and substance and gender- based abuse to form.
“There is a hunger in the generation that is currently neglected by us as a society, that really has a desire to have someone in their lives,” Van Schalkwyk says.
Together with volunteers, young boys are taught life skills and how to possess certain traits and principles such as respect, honesty, self-discipline, courage, and kindness.
He explained that this is done during weekly gatherings where mentors and children participate in activities in line with the organisation’s values.
“Multiple camps throughout the year provide team building opportunities where the boys learn to trust each other and their mentors. Through this, they also develop the ability to confide in other men and open up about their experiences and struggles. At the end of the programme, a number of the children can go on to become mentors themselves,” he said.
According to the article, so far, The Character Company has changed the lives of over 100 boys in South Africa, providing role models to help them grow into well-rounded adults.
“We have men out there that really care,” Van Schalkwyk said.
“They have the ability to impact the next generation of boys that will know how to deal with the issues society faces today.”
Editor’s note:
Absent fathers form part of many people’s story but this cycle has to be broken. Jaco van Schalkwyk is one man who is working towards breaking that cycle while empowering boy children to be better men.
Description:
The Character Company helps boy children become better men. The organisation teams up with volunteers who work with these boys on issues that should be addressed by their fathers had they decided to be there for their children.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project manager: Anirlè de Meyer