BBBS of South Africa’s approach to mentoring takes into account the unique challenges and needs facing children and their families around South Africa. Like other BBBS programs, BBBS of South Africa (BBBSSA) is a mentoring program dedicated to helping children and youth to realize their potential by facilitating the development of supportive one-to-one relationships. In order to best achieve this goal within the context of South Africa, BBBSSA focuses on special populations of children in addition to working through schools, children’s homes, and communities. Some of these groups include children from child-headed households, children in community programs for youth in conflict or potential conflict with the law, and children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS.

Evaluations on the efficacy of the program have been completed by the Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, and the Department of Social Work, University of Johannesburg. The results show that children in BBBS relationships significantly display:

• Increases in communication skills
• Increases in academic performance
• Decreases in participation in risky activities
• Decreases in the number of times being involved in a fight

The program is recognized at a national level for making a difference in the lives of South African children, and has recently been endorsed by the government funded Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the Department of Social Services.

BBBS of South Africa is currently offering community-based, school-based, diversion and site-based programs in Kwa Zulu Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape. BBBSSA plans to open offices in the North West and Eastern Cape provinces in order to reach more children, and help them to individually recognize their value, and reach their potential.

The following stories illustrate how at-risk children in South Africa are benefiting from the supportive relationships that BBBSSA is able to help them create.

Hope at Marang House

One Little Brother was able to experience his first airplane ride, and catch his first glimpse of the ocean, because of the caring Big Sister he found through a partnership between BBBSSA and Marang House, a home for terminally ill children. Despite not being expected to survive five years ago, he is now experiencing a life that includes friendship, hope, and opportunities that have helped to open up his world. Thanks to his Big Sister, this little boy knows he has people who care about him, and fun things to look forward to.

Health and Friendship

Big Sister Ingrid and Little Sister Jenaash love to visit the library, read books, play at the beach, go to the theater and enjoy picnics together. They have even created a book called “Ons Boek” in which they write and draw pictures of the fun times they have shared since 2006. In addition to finding a friend, in Big Sister Ingrid, Jenaash has found a role model and an advocate. Jenaash has inherently poor eyesight, and Ingrid took it upon herself to take Jenaash to an eye specialist and receive the proper treatment and necessary referrals to address her condition. Little Sister Jenaash is learning that not only is her health important, but that she herself is important.

Success stories such as these, as well as on-going support and commitment from corporations, foundations, individuals and government, will ensure that the vision to reach 4,500 young people over the next 2 years will be met.

Program participant in front of a mural of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, patron for BBBS of South Africa

South Africa at a Glance

Geography: South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. It borders the
Atlantic and Indian oceans as well as Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia,
Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and completely surrounds Lesotho.

Area: 1,219,090 square kilometers (470,693 square miles)

Population: 43,997,828 (CIA World Fact Book, 2007 est.)

Capitol: Pretoria (administrative); Bloemfontein (judicial); Cape Town (legislative)

Language: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda,
Xhosa, Zulu

Religion: Christian, indigenous beliefs, Muslim, Hindu

Currency: Rand

Life Expectancy: 53

GDP per Capita: U.S. $10,000

Literacy Percent: 86

Economy: Middle-income, emerging market with numerous natural resources and a well-developed infrastructure. The stock exchange ranks among the 10 largest in the world. Economic growth however has not affected the high rate of unemployment (25.5%). Fifty percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

Industries: Mining (world’s largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair.

(compiled from the CIA World Fact Book and National Geographic.com)

Please visit the BBBS of South Africa website to learn more about the organization.