In partnership with the Dignity Campaign, The Father’s Heart Foundation facilitated a DARE Day at St. Joseph’s Primary School in Blikkiesdorp, Kariega. Our committed volunteers spent time with 27 grade 7 boys to help them discover their identity, belonging and purpose in Christ. This was a meaningful day and truly opened up the boys' eyes to realise that God created them to be different to the examples of men they see in their community. Topics we cover includes; identity, belonging, purpose, relationships & dating, sex & pornography and manhood.

Subsequent to the DARE Day, the school felt there was a need to work with the boys on a more continuous basis. Thus, we are grateful to God for the DARE Discipleship programme that we could take on as we journeyed with the boys. We had 37 boys attend the DARE Discipleship. With 3 facilitators in a small classroom, we trusted God to see the lives of these young men impacted. In addition to the topics of the DARE Day, the discipleship program also touches on emotions, fatherlessness, mentoring and leadership.

Along with the DARE Discipleship curriculum, we trusted God to give us creative and practical ways to expand on what they had learnt at the DARE Day. Included in our sessions we played games, had group discussions, shared the stories from the book, had outdoor sessions, gave the boys an opportunity to be involved in skits. We prayed together and learnt Scripture together. We also had a time of fellowship and had something to eat and drink every week.

I truly believe that, even though they were aware of the pitfalls in their community, their eyes were opened to see that those patterns are wrong and that they should choose a better path for their own lives. The seed of the Word of God is being planted and trust that God will allow it to grow.

To end off the journey and reward the boys for their commitment to the program, we took them on a hike to Van Staden’s Wild Flower Nature Reserve. For many of the boys, this was their first time outside of their community. It was good for them to see that God has created a beautiful world outside of what they know.

We are so grateful to God for the Foundation who provides us with an opportunity to serve in this way. Thanks goes out to the school for allowing us access to the boys and giving us their full support. A special thanks goes to the Dignity Campaign for their curriculum and resource sponsor. A special thanks given to those who assisted us with transport and catering donations for the hike. We could not have done it without you.