The Character Company - NGO

About Us

OUR MISSION AND VISION

The Character Company's primary goal is to MENtor young boys to become good men. We believe that long-term MENtorship can help to raise a generation of men who are committed to positive family and community values.

By providing a personalized MENtorship "service, " we are able to speak into the lives of the boys and their mothers as we learn and see more about the challenges they face.

While we cannot change the circumstances or environment in which our boys live, we can teach them how to make better decisions in order to cope with their circumstances and break the negative behavior cycles that bind them.

WHY DO WE DO IT

Over 67% of South African children grow up in singleparent homes, and 4 out of 5 boys do not have a positive male role model in their lives.

The absence of a father or positive male role model in children's lives can lead to a lack of value system, discipline, and identity.

Single motherhood is a significant problem that causes financial and psychological strain on both mothers and children.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is systemic and entrenched in South African institutions, cultures, and traditions.

Stats and our experience show that boys with an involved father or positive male role model are likelier to succeed at school.

Homes headed by women are at the greatest risk of impoverishment.

Get Involved

Participation makes a significant difference in an organization like ours.

- Dedicated space designed for men to pursue personal holistic growth, including mental and spiritual well-being.

- Honest and vulnerable conversations.

- Together, men strive to be better for themselves, their families, and their communities.

- Encourage and empower men to live authentic and purpose-driven lives

What can YOU do to assist us in raising boys to be good men?

You can get involved by:

1. Donating money.
2. Offering your time to serve.
3. Contributing via skill transfer.
4 .Offering goods.
5. Share our message on your platform .
6. Share an experience at your company so we can get to know you and what you do as an organization.

Any of the above will allow us to continue with our current program while also expanding into new areas.

All donations to The Character Company are eligible receive a Section 18A donations receipt

BECOME A MENTOR

The harsh reality is that our failure to care for our country's "boy child" has resulted in a crisis. In our youth, we have created a culture of anxiety and anger that must be replaced with a culture of MENtorship. Our boys cannot be expected to walk the road of life without role models and then blame them when they get lost. We must speak less and act more.

We invite you to join the Character Company team and discover how important you can be in raising boys to be good men.

News

16 Days of Activism-encouraging SA men to speak out on GBV November 2024

Despite significant legal protections, gender-based violence (GBV) is a persistent, harrowing reality for many girls and women in South Africa.

Healing generations – the trauma of SA’s fatherless boys

Traumatic experiences can disrupt a child’s sense of safety, trust, and emotional regulation, often leading to long-term mental health effects.

The challenges of raising South African boys to be good men

In May, the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act 9 of 2024 was signed into law. The new Act expands GBV definitions and introduces new protections, adding to the robustness of the country’s GBV legislative framework.

Celebrating International Day of the Boy Child in SA (Thursday, 16 May)

In societies striving towards improved gender equity, enhanced safety and fair opportunities for women and girls, it can be common to overlook the needs and challenges of today’s boys.

Give a ‘Gift of Character’ and change a boy’s life

As the holiday season approaches, South Africans are gearing up for the traditional end-of-year and festive gift-giving, there's a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact through The Character Company's (TCC) ‘Gifts with Character’ giving campaign.

The Need

UNCOMFORTABLE FACTS

Gender-based violence
According to statistics, GBV is on the rise. This is especially true for boys who do not have positive male role models in their lives. Boys are not taught to love themselves, and as a result, they are unable to love respect, and value women.

Corruption
There are not enough male role models who teach boys how to fight for what they believe in and work hard to achieve their life goals.

Racism
There are not enough men teaching boys that they are not better than other boys or that their worth is not determined by the color of their skin, their job, earnings, or where they live.

Suicide
Suicide among men and teenagers is on the rise. We need men to take a stand and teach boys that being vulnerable and sharing their feelings is not a sign of weakness, but rather a true act of bravery.At any age, asking for help is a sign of true strength.

WHY DO WE DO IT

- Over 67% of South African children grow up in singleparent homes, and 4 out of 5 boys do not have a positive male role model in their lives.
- The absence of a father or positive male role model in children's lives can lead to a lack of value system, discipline, and identity.
- Single motherhood is a significant problem that causes financial and psychological strain on both mothers and children.
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is systemic and entrenched in South African institutions, cultures, and traditions.
- Stats and our experience show that boys with an involved father or positive male role model are likelier to succeed at school.
- Homes headed by women are at the greatest risk of impoverishment.

The Process

OUR TARGET GROUP

- Boys between the ages of 5 and 12 as an intake age.

- Not living with their biological father.

- Do not have a positive male role model in their lives

WHAT WE DO

We focus on long-term mentoring and relationship-building to achieve our goals, instilling 5 specific values:

Courage, Kindness, Self-discipline, Honesty, and Respect.

We primarily work with young boys between the ages of 5 and 12, but because of our longterm mentoring approach, we will be a part of their lives throughout their school career and into adulthood.

HOW WE DO IT

- We run a long-term mentorship program.
- Equip MENtors with the necessary tools and training.
- Each volunteer MENtor has a group of 5 boys.
- MENtors do weekly activities with their group of boys.
- Two camps per month which are age and value specific.
- Provide a support structure for the moms.

HOW WE TRACK SUCCESS

- A database has been developed to monitor activities and capture relevant data for the Measuring and Evaluation process;
- MENtors write reports for each boy after each weekly session, camp, and weekend event;
- Social worker inputs reports of interactions with moms in the mom's support program;
- Feedback is regularly requested from boys and moms through interviews, group discussions, or questionnaires;
- Regional Characters oversee the MENtoring through regular visits to groups and check-ins with the volunteer MENtors;
- The CEO is responsible for overall program management and reports monthly to the Board of Directors.