I was walking past the soccer field when this guy came up behind me and yanked my arm behind my back so badly that I felt as if it was falling out.
And remember what happened to me? I was waiting outside the school for my transport when this smart woman in a BM pulled up and spoke to me...
She offered me study opportunities and a well-paid job overseas, if I would go with her to fill in all the papers.
Luckily I had seen a program on TV about how this can land you up in prostitution …
They call it human trafficking.
You know, it seems as if there are more and more dangers around us…
Could we talk to a teacher to see if there is something the school can do to protect us?
That’s a great idea. We could organise a patrol for learners or we could get the Community Police Forum to accompany us on some of the routes we use.
The other day I was thinking of starting a peer counselling group at school,
where we could listen to and try to help other young people.
Yes! I mean, after all, we have nearly finished the “Words over Weapons” program. We have listening skills and conflict resolution skills that could help us to help others.
That’s true. I would like to know more about other problems young people experience…
like about their sexual orientation or drugs and suicide.
Well, it's hard to get people off drugs. But maybe we can share information about the dangers of drugs and the signs that people might be taking drugs.
That's an excellent idea!
Why don’t we do some reading about this tonight and share what we have found tomorrow?
Yes, let’s talk about this tomorrow.
The following day...
For example as a boy, you could be attracted to girls or to boys. And as a girl, you could be attracted to boys or to girls.
If a boy is attracted to girls and if a girl is attracted to boys, it is known as a heterosexual relationship.
If a boy is attracted to boys, it is known as a homosexual or gay relationship.
And if a girl is attracted to girls, this is commonly known as a lesbian relationship, but can also be called gay.
I know that some of my friends are really struggling with this, afraid they are attracted to the same sex, but they are afraid to tell their friends and families.
Yes, this can be very difficult. But you can't deny who you are... what advice could we give our friends?
Do you remember the lesson on gender? We talked about being masculine and feminine..
We all have both masculine and feminine energy within us. For most girls the feminine energy is dominant and for most boys the masculine energy is dominant. But it can also be that a girl has more masculine energy, then this girl may enjoy activities that are normally associated with boys. The same goes for boys.
A healthy and happy person accepts that he or she has both energies within him or her. And is also grateful for this.
Maybe, we can help our friends by listening to them and supporting them in who they are. We can let them know that we like them for who they are and that their sexual orientation is a part of who they are.
Good advice, Mosiwa! I read about the early warning signs of suicide. These are things like a drop in marks and depression or mood swings. The person could also talk about suicide or act like the big joker in class, always wanting to be the centre of attention.
That’s strange…you would think that if someone is being the joker, everything is OK with him!
Yea, but I suppose that is really a cover up for the pain inside him…
…like maybe he is in some sort of trouble at home or a family member whom he was close to has just passed away, or he has just broken up with a girlfriend.
Like what?
Like spiking our drinks with drugs and then raping us when we no longer know what is going on.
It's true, I have seen that, and I’ve been at parties where guys got badly hurt in fights.
You know what my parents said about the clothes I wanted to wear to a party, they said I looked “cheap” . They say if you look cheap the guys will take advantage of you…..is that true Mosiwa?
Mmmm….to be honest, I have heard how guys speak very vulgarly about girls who wear clothes that show too much of their bodies….I have to admit I have done this myself…and then felt bad about it afterwards.
But that doesn’t mean you have to go around looking like an old woman! You can wear something that is cute but that still shows you respect yourself.
Thanks for that advice Mosiwa; I think I understand what you mean. What else do you do, Lerato, that helps you be safe and still have fun at parties?
I also promise my Dad that I won’t drink alcohol…and I don’t.
You know how hard that is for us guys…calling us “Mommy’s boys” and all that if we refuse to drink alcohol!
Yes, I can imagine that must be really tough….
but I would rather be with a guy who is able to stand up to what he believes in!
I agree! I also tell my Dad what time I'll be home and I stick to that time. He sees I can keep to my word and he has let me stay out longer.
Well, you know what guys….we have spent a long time discussing. I think we are ready to start our peer counselling group in the school.
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