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.          

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.     

WE PROVIDE

• 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)

It was my attendance at Smiling One’s AGM in 2019 that sparked my curiosity, as immediately as Luyanda started to speak. This was then swiftly followed by the open and vulnerable sharing of Change Agents Thulani and Bradly expressing their sincere and impassioned purpose in guiding young people. Franklin had to join us virtually that day. 

For a lot of people, this kind of raw open vulnerability and authenticity is totally foreign. I am not one of those people. Yet, here I was...utterly blown away, profoundly moved and deeply inspired.

What was it I asked? Why was this particular meeting so different?

I don’t think it’s just one thing. Yes, to the open emotional sharing - some people never experience that in a life-time. Sad, but true. However, there was something more than that. It felt like a very particular context. The context of adult men, having committed a crime acknowledging their wrongs yet extending their bravery a step further – to acknowledge something far more painful… 

How they have been let down. Let down by their fathers, their mothers, their families, their communities, the system, life and finally themselves. Why wouldn’t you give up on yourself facing such insurmountable struggle?

And here they sat - with all the weight of that grief looking into the fresh face of a young person - with only one reminder. They can choose a different path. That despite not having what you so deeply need, that despite life taking away from you what you loved the most, you can still choose a better decision for yourself. One decision at a time. You don’t have to give up on yourself just because your environment has failed you. 

What a heart-thumping bell to hear!

I cannot imagine what it must feel like to be so young, facing unimaginable challenges, and hearing an adult speak so utterly and directly to all those very-same feelings; words that say, ‘I hear you’ ‘I see you’ ‘I’ve been there’ ’This is what I’ve learnt.’ 

It is this that makes SmilingOne so utterly unique. That by bringing Change Agents back into relationship with themselves, their communities and specifically, the youth, they offer redemption to both – and the community builds a stronger base. It is this inter-relationship of the power of the individual to heal themselves, becoming the healer in service of others. It is no small task, takes enormous courage, sincere self-reflection, and complete commitment to a purpose bigger than you.

It is not often you come across a self-improvement programme that speaks to such a full circle of development. The emphasis is on ’self’ in improvement. At SmilingOne, the individual's growth and improvement is not separate to the improvement of the whole/community. I remain, astounded.

Of course I wanted to support that kind of endeavour - and so, here I am, as a board member. 

This happened to co-incide with the arrival of the pandemic - as if life couldn’t present itself with any more difficulties for people. Overnight, the Change Agents were presented with having to find new ways to remain engaged and inter-active with the students. Not only did they do this, but they stepped up their game! 2020 found SmilingOne’s principles land in the hearts and minds of Parents and Teachers alike - growing an Army of Support that can only contribute to young people creating better lives and better futures. This is hugely significant, because the pandemic stretched absolutely everybody’s resilience. The fact that SmilingOne could offer support to a wider reach is incredible, the impact of which will be felt for a long time. Teachers were particularly placed in a difficult position during the pandemic. It does not surprise me to hear that they want to present SmilingOne’s model to the Department of Education. They needed the support, but more importantly they need the right kind of support and not money thrown at plasters. To hear teachers say they are re-invigorated with their passion for teaching speaks volumes to SmilingOne. You can’t expect a child to learn from someone who is frustrated, exasperated or angry. It doesn’t work that way.

This is not to say that SmilingOne hasn’t had their share of challenges too. As a board we had to navigate losing Thulani to further his studies and re-negotiate our terms of engagement with Bradly who was on a sabbatical. It is with great respect and admiration that throughout both of these processes SmilingOne was able to stick to their core principles, to engage respectively but also to keep the purpose of SmilingOne’s mission at the forefront of their minds - basing decisions by looking at long-term consequences and always with the interests of the students at heart. 

Looking back at 2020, what a year! Smiling One has not only achieved its goals but superseded them! What was a community oriented programme has become a global one - seems fitting for a pandemic year?! I have been so impressed and inspired by the level of focus and energy from both Karina and Franklin literally grabbing the bull by its horns and whipping it! You have both gone over and beyond what was asked. Our board meetings every second week throughout the year was a tremendous focus and I believe helped us to stay on track, re-evaluate and attend to the next change of events that seemed to be so common. Yet, in every meeting you brought your humanity, generosity, compassion, openness and wisdom. It’s honestly a true privilege to spend any time with you and I am lucky to get inside tickets!

Karina, you are bountiful in your love and care, focus and commitment. Such attention to every single detail and moment. Your energy and passion is jaw-dropping. Franklin, what an honour. Your kindness and compassion is so palpable, your enthusiasm and generosity infectious. What a phenomenal team, utterly inspirational and exceptional.

It is a no-brainer to me that your work not only belongs in our beloved country, but that the world could have access to its fruits. It would seem so fitting that the Rainbow Nation delivers a programme that brings home the banished to rebuild communities – literally walking in the foot-steps of Nelson Mandela. I think he would be proud. 

You are all the living proof of how this is possible. You are the evidence. 

If ever the world needed that rainbow of hope to be fully embraced, despite all adversity - the time is now.

Lots of love
Manuela