Helping boys to stay on track
- Wits University
A Zandspruit project by Dr Josephine Lalle provides mentorship and improves literacy amongst male adolescents.
According to research, men in our society suffer from lovelessness. This psychical hole in men usually develops in boyhood. Society’s perception of masculinity minimises and veils men’s need for affection. Studies show that there is a link between disastrous male behaviour and their psychical wound. Together with Golang Education Outreach, Llale works to heal this wound.
Llale, a Senior Lecturer with the School of Construction Economics and Management (CEM), dedicates some of her time to help boys in Zandspruit in their journey to manhood. Once a week, she meets with the boys aged 14-18 years to read and discuss the reading. Each boy is assigned a portion of reading with one member of the group leading the discussion. Globally, the reading skills of boys are lower than girls. However, her group shows signs of improvement as she has been pleasantly surprised at the enthusiasm and great attendance.
Josephine started working with Golang Education Outreach in 2017. This was after she relocated to Johannesburg from Mahikeng. In Mahikeng, she used to volunteer at Bosasa Mafikeng Child and Youth Care Centre. The change she witnessed further motivated her to continue to make a difference in society by working with youth when she relocated.
Besides reading and literacy, Josephine, through her foundation called Rose and Amos Llale Foundation seeks to give the boys exposure to different opportunities. The foundation, together with a network of friends, sponsor camps for the boys where they are taught topics including leadership. They also get a chance to play and hike, which they enjoy thoroughly.
According to Llale, one of their favourite activities is visiting Wits University where they are hosted by CEM. The day includes a talk about career possibilities, a walkabout that, off course, includes a photo opportunity outside Wits’ famous landmark, the Great Hall.
She was recently reminded of the value of proving support to the vulnerable and outcasts during a recent outing when she received an unexpected greeting from a former inmate, once placed at a Juvenile centre where she used to volunteer.
“It was a pleasant surprise, what touched me the most is that he is now working at a restaurant and is focused on his life,” she says.
It took her back to her begins adding that it was “visiting youth detention centres that pushed me to work with boys”.
Statistics show that men are more likely to go to prison than women. This is a statistic that Josephine wants to reverse.
This article is one of five published that showcases how Wits staff contribute as individuals to various charitable causes. These incredible staff members live and appreciate Wits’ values beyond our campuses, and we are incredibly proud of their spirit of volunteerism and them practising #WitsForGood. The stories were featured in the Staff Monthly Newsletter.
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