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KEY OBJECTIVE 3:Support Family Relationships of learners who show high risk of dropping out
DIRECT PARENT ACCESS/TIME: In April 2020 onwards our phone calls to Parents intensified to make appointments for House Visits and to check in on Students coping through the pandemic - this made a huge difference in families becoming more familiar with us and the program. During a house visit we have learnt what challenges the Parents have revolving the Students.
TRUST BUILD TO PARENT: We have on numerous occasions found that Families open up about personal Challenges. They allowed us into a personal space in family challenges during our house visits.
360 FEEDBACK ON STUDENTS | SPACE TO SHARE: It is essential for us to understand the Student through the eyes of Parents and GrandParents. Here we see what Challenges the Students are dealing with in the home environment. We provided a safe space for them to discuss issues that revolved around their kids.
SOUNDING BOARD FOR PARENTS: What was particularly interesting/important was the understanding that was built between SmilingOne and Parents. On many occasions Parents contacted us to ask for a visit and advice in regards to Challenges that the Parents were facing to understand the Child. This shows us increased involvement from the Parent to be a partner in the Childs/students education (inner/outer)
AGILE DURING LOCKDOWN: We always had a place to go and check on the Students (at home). Our Student session space was moved to their homes and it was the perfect place for the Parents to join in on sessions. The parent had the option to benefit and equip themselves to understand more about the student - normally those sessions would have taken place at school. So the pandemic really was a win in this regard.
SAFETY | MINDFULNESS IN HIGH RISK AREA: The Change Agent being mobile made it much easier for them to navigate around in the area to the Students' Houses. The area is not really safe - however it made a difference having a car. Also Franklin grew up in the area which meant he understood to be aware while moving around.
EVIDENCE ON IMPACT | PARENTS & STUDENTS TACKLE CHALLENGES BETTER: We experienced dramatic Changes in the parent/student relationships during this time. The Parents observed changes in the Students behaviours through first hand experience of how they dealt with the challenges in our sessions (Students and Parents present). The Parents and the Students are now equipped to tackle the identified Challenges differently
PARENT SUPPORT: There has been instances where Parents call upon the Change Agent to chat to the Student. There have been challenges that made some of the Students contemplate dropping out of school and Parents ask the Change Agent to speak to the Students. Parents also got involved and wanted to know how to handle certain situations when it came to challenges that the Students are facing.
DIRECT INSIGHT: By doing our House Visits - we had direct insight to the Learners and Families living conditions. Families shared insightful developments that is influencing the Learner. We had an opportunity to build a relationship with families based on the assistance and support for Learners which allowed us to see Learner background, Family structures, and financial circumstances. We also get to see hobbies, sports activities, and talents of the Learners outside the school environment.
TRUST BUILD TO PARENT: We have on numerous occasions found that Families open up about personal Challenges. They allowed us into a personal space in family challenges during our house visits.
360 FEEDBACK ON STUDENTS | SPACE TO SHARE: It is essential for us to understand the Student through the eyes of Parents and GrandParents. Here we see what Challenges the Students are dealing with in the home environment. We provided a safe space for them to discuss issues that revolved around their kids.
SOUNDING BOARD FOR PARENTS: What was particularly interesting/important was the understanding that was built between SmilingOne and Parents. On many occasions Parents contacted us to ask for a visit and advice in regards to Challenges that the Parents were facing to understand the Child. This shows us increased involvement from the Parent to be a partner in the Childs/students education (inner/outer)
AGILE DURING LOCKDOWN: We always had a place to go and check on the Students (at home). Our Student session space was moved to their homes and it was the perfect place for the Parents to join in on sessions. The parent had the option to benefit and equip themselves to understand more about the student - normally those sessions would have taken place at school. So the pandemic really was a win in this regard.
SAFETY | MINDFULNESS IN HIGH RISK AREA: The Change Agent being mobile made it much easier for them to navigate around in the area to the Students' Houses. The area is not really safe - however it made a difference having a car. Also Franklin grew up in the area which meant he understood to be aware while moving around.
EVIDENCE ON IMPACT | PARENTS & STUDENTS TACKLE CHALLENGES BETTER: We experienced dramatic Changes in the parent/student relationships during this time. The Parents observed changes in the Students behaviours through first hand experience of how they dealt with the challenges in our sessions (Students and Parents present). The Parents and the Students are now equipped to tackle the identified Challenges differently
PARENT SUPPORT: There has been instances where Parents call upon the Change Agent to chat to the Student. There have been challenges that made some of the Students contemplate dropping out of school and Parents ask the Change Agent to speak to the Students. Parents also got involved and wanted to know how to handle certain situations when it came to challenges that the Students are facing.
DIRECT INSIGHT: By doing our House Visits - we had direct insight to the Learners and Families living conditions. Families shared insightful developments that is influencing the Learner. We had an opportunity to build a relationship with families based on the assistance and support for Learners which allowed us to see Learner background, Family structures, and financial circumstances. We also get to see hobbies, sports activities, and talents of the Learners outside the school environment.
The SmilingOne Foundation (SOF) is the NPO leg of SmilingOne. SmilingOne is the home our Circle of Change™ Academy.
During the pandemic we intensified our efforts to bring all our teachings online with the aim to service both SOF beneficiaries as well as to reach a global audience.
The Academy plays an important role in our sustainability approach for SOF - 10% of all income on online programs (booked at full price) is donated towards youth/school & prison projects. We are committed to build a solid foundation from which we can ensure long-term project partnerships and continue to give our beneficiaries free access to all our values based leadership programs.
Our intervention in SA prisons is our flagship project and will benefit youth, families, communities on a large scale. Educating more Change Agents is KEY for a successful strategy. We aim to bring our Academy (via local intranets) into prisons across South Africa in the years to come to reach thousands of inmates.
During the pandemic we intensified our efforts to bring all our teachings online with the aim to service both SOF beneficiaries as well as to reach a global audience.
The Academy plays an important role in our sustainability approach for SOF - 10% of all income on online programs (booked at full price) is donated towards youth/school & prison projects. We are committed to build a solid foundation from which we can ensure long-term project partnerships and continue to give our beneficiaries free access to all our values based leadership programs.
Our intervention in SA prisons is our flagship project and will benefit youth, families, communities on a large scale. Educating more Change Agents is KEY for a successful strategy. We aim to bring our Academy (via local intranets) into prisons across South Africa in the years to come to reach thousands of inmates.
KEY OBJECTIVE 1:Tackle learner disengagement by establishing a nurturing and relatable adult in a school to facilitate intensive personal development with learners
WHAT WORKED WELL
TRUSTED SPACE, RELATABLE ADULT, OPENING UP ABOUT CHALLENGES, SHARING EMOTION
- The Change Agent has been a trusted relatable Adult for the Students to come and share and explore their Challenges in groups and in one-on-one engagement sessions. Opening up can for many Students be daunting as they do not have someone to talk to, or trust in. We have seen Students fully engage in this space offered to them and using the Change Agents to hold space for sharing of challenges and deeper feelings.
- The one on one sessions are offered to our After School Club Students. It assists us to measure where they are at with understanding their tools, and what we must further build on. The Students appreciate both the group space and the personalised space.
- The one on one sessions has also been an alternative to Students that did not want to be part of the After School Club (a group process), yet found that The Responsible Individual was something they really needed to be a part of. We have 11 Exposure Students that make use of regular 1-on-1’s. Last year these Students were more drop-in’s - now they are consistent in the process.
- The venue that the school provided has been an exceptional space which Students identify with as the place of their development. It has been a safe space for interpersonal engagement for their development through The Responsible Individual and the gathering of Champions who are interested in changing their lives for positive Academic results.
- The Grade 12's took full advantage of the space we provided after they had been thrown into speed Studies with excessive academic classes due to COV19. Grade 12 students came to release and share their Challenges with us. We hosted sessions for them to identify the abnormal/intense school tasks as an opportunity. One-on-one sessions were hosted for Grade 12 students who felt that they needed to deepen their understanding of personal Challenges hindering them from focusing on school tasks. Lorenzo Jantjies - one of the Grade 12s - became a real Champion of Change this year - inviting his fellow mates to session. They realized they needed a more intensified approach to strengthen their toolkits. They brought their lunches to sessions and enjoyed a space to relax and have open dialogues.
STUDENTS EMBRACE THE SMILING ONE APPROACH, CONCEPTS/TOOLKIT & WAY OF ENGAGING
- Students are connecting with the Change Agent and the approach that SmilingOne uses. As time progresses we find that Students are becoming well known to the approach
- Students are becoming Champions of the program which sparks curiosity amongst their fellow students. This has really stood out in the year of the pandemic! We have seen many more students showing interest. The Champions are bringing other Students along with them to benefit from the trusted sharing and development space.
- We made graphic and colourful illustrations of the concepts and hanged them on the walls in the SmilingOne classroom, which sparked further interest of the Students. At first it was not easy for them to identify or relate to all the concepts, now it has become so much more tangible for them, easier to use - the visuals are greatly appreciated by the Students.
- Students who enrolled in our program the year before (while still in Grade 11) are now showing up more intensified as Grade 12’s in our program. We also receive great feedback from Grade 12 teachers on how one of our Champions is impacting his fellow Grade 12’s positively, bringing them with him to sessions (Lorenzo)
- We have seen students who last year experienced TRI through Exposure Classes to enrol in the program this year for support and then to be chosen for the Accelerator Program (a bridge between matric and their tertiary studies)
INSIGHT INTO DISENGAGEMENT | WE ARE EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT THEM
- Students development through the program is revealing to us different aspects of why the disengagement happens and why it is so important to address. We have been learning as much as the students have so we can better support them to navigate through their challenges. Disengagement often leads to drop-out of school which will severely impact their future and any possibility for a promising life and career.
- Students follow trends, what is popular amongst the youth.
- Students do not consult or ask advice which often leads them to make choices alone - going solo in their adventures.
- Students close down and are secretive about their feelings - suffering in silence
- Students prefer gangsterism over families, they are much easier accepted in the gangs than in their families. At home there is expectations. In gangs… what flows goes.
- Students regard the teachers almost as their parents - meaning someone they cannot easily share with - this is how they have framed it. Every adult is often perceived by students as a threat - as someone they cannot engage with. It makes it hard for them to open up and share. So they don’t accept the guidance and the teaching offered.
VIRTUAL SPACE DURING LOCKDOWN
- During lockdown we created a space for the Students to communicate with us and stay connected with the Change Agents. This allowed them to share about their Challenges and experiences with the changes that came with the lockdown.
- Old Students who were previously part of the process rejoined due to the Change Agents reaching out to them during the lockdown (via WhatsApp and phonically).
- We posted videos in the virtual space and shared daily inspiration. We had 3 Change Agents in intensified daily sharing to inspire and motivate the students.
- Our connection with Students never faded during time of Lockdown, on the contrary it increased. It wasn’t a usual thing to have the Change Agent so intensified in a virtual space, coming right into the home. It lead to the Change Agents being easily invited to house visits once lockdown was eased in June (activity 3).
ARMY OF SUPPORT (READ MORE UNDER ACTIVITY 2)
- Partnership with the School and Teachers worked very well and was intensified during the Pandemic. We had access to the intercom system. Our sessions were announced via intercom. It was helpful instead of us going from class to class to remind Students. Teachers also reminded Students, nudging them to attend sessions.
- The Principals and Management was guiding us in Covid-19 safety strategies of the School as we reopened School. This added to the strength in togetherness as we keep nurturing our Partnership.
- We got a second classroom - one for the Students process and one for the Teachers process during the pandemic times to ensure no cross contamination, shows a strong Partnership - how willing they are to work hand-in-hand with us
VALEDICTORY
It was such an awesome experience to see the Grade 12's Matriculants moving to the next step of life. As they prepare for their end exams.
We have had such a beautiful journey with them for the past 2 years - together we have learned some great lessons.
End the year of strong...
We celebrate your courage to be yourself and to stretch towards your dreams.
It was such an awesome experience to see the Grade 12's Matriculants moving to the next step of life. As they prepare for their end exams.
We have had such a beautiful journey with them for the past 2 years - together we have learned some great lessons.
End the year of strong...
We celebrate your courage to be yourself and to stretch towards your dreams.
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WE PROVIDE
(1) The Responsible Individual™ (TRI)
(2) Wheel of Consciousness (WOC)
(3) Reclaim Your Power (RYP)
- enabling platforms in South African high risk environments
- a team of SmilingOne Change Agents
- our unique Awakened Leadership Approach - personal values based leadership programs - offered to our Students via our Circles of Change™ Academy
(1) The Responsible Individual™ (TRI)
(2) Wheel of Consciousness (WOC)
(3) Reclaim Your Power (RYP)
KEY OBJECTIVE 2:Improve school culture through light-touch open dialogues with learners
WHAT WORKED WELL
THE SMILING ONE CLUB SPACE HAS A MULTI PURPOSE - ALSO A SPACE FOR EXPOSURE & GATHERINGS:
- The school gave us a 2nd classroom this year (2020) which is a re-creation building and the possibilities of the space is endless.
- We had many Students keen to be in our space - mix of exposure students and intensified students in our project.
- We had warmth, laughter and depth in our space. Where Students can come and share anything that troubles them.
- We had many Students come and use the space to do Homework and extra curriculum activities. It was easier for them to seclude themselves from the busyness of school in the SmilingOne Club Space to focus on priorities at school.
- The SmilingOne Club is a real connection space for Students from Matric who used the space to connect with our sessions, during a time of much difficulties and pressure. We always make sure that we open the space for them to share with us.
- The SmilingOne Space is identified as a space where all Students can come for support and guidance. Students enjoy a quiet peaceful atmosphere to focus on extra school work. We have a little library to keep students busy reading - where they can borrow books from the space. The Matriculants have come to eat lunch in our space while having sessions at the same time.
OPEN DIALOGUE:
- We have built solid relationships with Students which has allowed for trust in the shared space
- The space is one of shared responsibility in regards to openness with the Students.
- Our enabling platform is established at the school and the students use it to share with us about everything. We have touched upon many issues that is challenging in the Students life. Students have trusted us with numerous issues and shared topics which we could address.
- We particularly made sure to understand which Changes and Challenges arrives in the school environment and bring it to the Exposure Classes for discussion. To learn and understand.
- Our meet and greet on school grounds with Students assists us in gaining familiarity. Which makes it easy for Students to come to us and where we can address topics which affect the Students, Teachers and the School.
- We are very lucky to be allowed in the Students and Families lives in the community through the open dialogue.
- We discover so much of their culture and school through their sharing.
- Students are communicating our The Responsible Individual language. It has been amazing to be involved in such a discovery.
- Challenging issues are easily talked about. Teachers call us to assist them with open dialogue, addressing issues in an efficient way. There has been several instances where behaviour issues has been addressed - calling upon SmilingOne for assistance and enrolling Students to the program to see Student improvement.
IMPROVE SCHOOL CULTURE:
- Having fun with innovative learning - Students are involved in their learning process with fun debates, challenging each others ideas and opinions.
- Along with our Objectives to influence school culture - inner development also compliments academic progress. Many Students who have been in classes with disruptive reputations are welcoming us to have open dialogue to improve classroom humour and engagement with Teachers.
- Students who are disruptive and have behavioural issues are on our radar - to be motivated and influenced in a positive way. We make sure that we identify these social leaders on school who are influential to their Student Peers. We do our check-ins with them to maintain a familiarity around our program and support - engaging in conversations regularly so as to build trust and invite them to expand on their toolkits.
FAMILIARITY | CHANGE AGENTS AS BEACONS IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT:
PRESENCE: We have made sure to show up and be present in every single class at school - exposing them to TRI - helping the Students to understand that they can come to us in groups of Friends or as a Class and also as an Individual. Any Challenge that they might be facing, we are here for them. They should feel free to come to us so that we can assist them in learning and understanding their Challenges.
BUILDING TRUST: The light touch dialogues build trust with the students and invited them to a safe space in our SmilingOne Club where Students can come and comfortably explore their Challenges. The Change Agents are a constant presence at school, they are beacons of light and continue to build the familiarity and share topics with the Students that are really interesting and engaging.
SAFE SPACE: The Change Agents are neutral when it comes to Challenges that arise on school. When it comes to their personal issues we have no Judgement. These are qualities that appeal to the Students.
A PLACE TO SAFELY RELEASE: During the Pandemic when School opened (for grade 12’s) we had grade 12 groups coming to see us, sharing about their Challenges and having a place to release their tension in our space. Now more grades are back at school and we have adjusted to the new schedule so as to be available for students. Interest has been building through the Exposure Classes over the past year. Students are looking for the Change Agents to motivate them and to share with them Challenging situations to gain understanding about what they are going through.
RECRUITMENT SPACE:
- Going from class to class to involve students in light touch dialogues so as to invite them into a better understanding about self and also to get to learn how they contribute to the school culture. Each one is a contributor.
- We used the Exposure Classes to invite the Students for more personal one-on-one sessions in our SmilingOne Club or to join the After School SmilingOne Club group sessions. We had Students that would always ask questions after the Exposure Classes and would like to know more. We invited them to the intensified process.
- Our Light touch dialogues took the shape of the Change Agents making many rounds on the school premises, checking in on Students in a more informal way - blending into their every day. These opportunities were concluded with the Change Agent always being available for one-on-one sessions.
- All we initiated was re-emphasised by a Teacher or a Student who through their own experience helped promote the project. The Teachers were especially resourceful as a new angle and first hand experience from their own process. They could easily speak on behalf of the program and encourage students to enrol and show up for the project. Teachers were our Ambassadors.
- The opening of school for 2021 was big for us, new students became familiarised with SmilingOne. We went to the grade 8’s, fresh in High School, introduced ourselves and extended the invitation to be part of the After School Club, informing them that SmilingOne serves as Learner Support for the school. In our invitation they were made aware to feel free to come and speak to us about any issue whether academically or with students or socially. Our ‘road tour’ also helped Teachers become more aware of our presence - as we extended the invite to them to send Students to SmilingOne which they may identify having issues. Those already familiar with us, felt our presence from day one.
WE INVEST IN EDUCATING MORE NURTURING ADULTS TO TACKLE LEARNER DISENGAGEMENT
- We have identified the need for Teachers to be involved in our program on a weekly basis with their own personal group session. They are now getting first hand experience of The Responsible Individual™ program and discover valuable tools to become better versions of themselves and much better teachers… this assists them in showing up for the Academic development… walking alongside the Student as a trusted partner in education… so as to better support the student in addressing the challenge of Student disengagement and becoming a contributor in a positive School Culture.
- Teachers are now identifying deeper layers to Learner Disengagement and they trust that our program is an ideal access point to deal with aspects outside of academic issues (Personal Challenges) which automatically compliments the Students academic development.
- Teachers are seeing significant changes in students after they have been to our exposure classes. The Students are more engaged and show up in class, ready to focus on Academics.
- We are experiencing a beautiful coming together in our Partnership with the school. Teachers are always eager to assist us when we ask. They have been a great 'Army of Support'.
- The Teachers in the program are asking management if SmilingOne can present the Value system of the Department of Education at school. This shows that our Partners in Education are keen to continue to build on the Partnership with SmilingOne - and that we have grown in Partnership. This work falls outside the scope of our work currently = means they needed to come on board with funding. We regard it as a very positive development that we are nurturing.
I am humbled as I welcome you to our annual report, sharing with you of a year that has profoundly stretched us at SmilingOne, asked us to shift gears and while upgrading our approach to touch lives.
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