No Apologies

The No Apologies programme about life, love and sexuality was started in South Africa in 2002. It continues to be an extremely popular lifeskills programme used by a number of the provincial Departments of Education in South Africa. By the end of 2009, a total of nearly 20,000 educators had been trained in the programme in Africa. These educators have taken this powerful message to the children in the remotest areas of south and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is our calculation that well over a million children have now been reached by this programme.

The response from children continues to be “Why did someone not tell us this before?”

One of the important lessons emphasized in this character-based programme is the value of marriage and the role of marriage in protecting our children against the dangers of our world. However, we are also mindful that the majority of the children we reach are from single parent homes and many are even from child-headed homes. Such children (and their parents) deserve the best that we can provide in steering them towards being confident and healthy citizens of their country.

There are many dangers facing our children today, and we believe that a spiritual grounding and a belief in God through Jesus Christ is the ultimate protection against these dangers. HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, drugs and alcohol-abuse, teenage pregnancy, pornography on the net and via cell-phones, bullying and crime are all areas that are addressed in this character-based programme.

Focus on the Family Africa has recently published a novel for teens - “A Story of Hope” is based on the principles of the No Apologies curriculum. The book contains pertinent and relevant questions on each chapter that can be used to stimulate discussion between teens and their parents.

Some of the reports received from parents, educators and children include:

	A child who was being sexually abused revealed this in front of the class. The educator contacted her parents and referred them to a local social worker. An educator felt challenged to take this message to her Sunday school class. Learners started chanting ‘anti-sex before marriage slogans’ to merit the successfulness of the programme.
	The course not only educates the learners but also the educators and some parents. It facilitated communication between parents and educators.
	A bond of trust developed between educators and learners.
	Pupils felt a sense of freedom after the course as they were able to share their burdens with someone whom they could trust.
	Learners felt better equipped to deal with problems they might encounter in the future.
	Learners were convicted of their previous behaviour and the course definitely brought about a change in them.
	Pupils were so encouraged by the programme that they promised to pass on the message to their parents and the communities they live in.
	One learner shared with her teacher how the programme had changed her behaviour.
	Girls who had fallen pregnant the previous year stepped up to sign the pledge for abstinence.
	An educator said her colleagues and the principal often visited the class during the lesson and they offered some valuable words of advice to the learners.
	The programme should be introduced at an earlier age as some pupils develop early physically but are still mentally immature.
	The programme should be repeated to the learners every year up to grade 12.
	The programme should be introduced earlier as some learners fall pregnant and contract STD's while in grades 5 and 6.
	An educator expressed the opinion that she felt the programme was vital to children and that more teachers should be trained, as it would help to build a better nation.
	Abstinence should be taught in the school as part of the school curriculum.
	The course should be run on an ongoing basis at schools, as educators have observed that some of the children are victims in their own homes.
	These kinds of problems have only come to light since teaching the programme. Therefore the course is important in identifying and monitoring the children's state of well-being.
	Parents should be more involved in this course as they need to be educated themselves so that they will be equipped to advise their children correctly.

Other recommended resources for teens and parents include:

No Apologies: The Truth About Life, Love & Sex by Focus on the Family DVD [click here to view more]

Pure Excitement: A Godly look at Sex, Love and Dating by Joe White Paperback [click here to view more]

These are available from Focus on the Family Africa at 031-7163300 or orders@fotf.co.za

Click here to contact the No Apologies Team