“Where have the fathers of your children gone” the facilitator asked mothers meeting in a community Support Group. “We don’t know” many responded.
Tragically, almost half of South Africa’s children are growing up without their fathers. While almost any man can father a child, there is so much more to the important role of being father in a child’s life. Studies show that if a child’s father is affectionate, supportive, and involved, he can contribute greatly to the child’s cognitive, language, and social development. Growing up without a father can have a devastating impact. HOPE worldwide SA is determined to do something about this.
This past month we saw 20 men graduate from our Men’s Programme. The programme is dedicated to mobilizing and teaching fathers about the importance of their role in raising children. Men meet together in Men’s Forums that run for a period of 1 year. More and more we are seeing men standing up, and who are willing to be counted among those who are committed to caring for their children. This Father’s day we would like to wish every father who chooses stand for his children and family – a very Happy Father’s Day.
By Percy Matshoba – Media and Marketing