As part of World Children’s Day celebrations, the Black Rock Community Peace Initiative Group and the Black Rock Government Primary School collaborated to empower fathers and their sons.
A programme titled “Fathers & Sons in the Digital Age” was hosted on Thursday, which not only allowed fathers to bond with their boys but also to receive valuable tools to support their children.
Member of the Black Rock Community Peace Initiative, Kelvin Charles, explained that the group has been making efforts to positively impact the community. He said during Thursday’s event, Behavioural Psychologist and Mediator Alan Pierre provided the boys of Standards Three to Five and their fathers with insights on several topics, including the use of technology.
“The good use of social media, the bad use of social media, and the fact that they need to be able to recognise what is good use and bad use and take appropriate action. The session this afternoon was with the fathers because we wanted the fathers to be part of the exercise and to understand they have a real key role in bringing up their son.”
The boys were also asked to share anonymous expressions about their fathers.
“One remark that came out was that, ‘I want my father to know that I love him even when he shouts at me.’ When you ask the question, ‘What is one thing you want your father to know about you or do differently?’ he said, ‘Nothing. I love my father the way my father is.’ Of course we had others where one boy said he wants to live with his father and things like that. So some of these were read, and the fathers responded. Not that we shared who did it, but we wanted them to be sensitive to some of the things that their children are in fact saying or what they are thinking about.”
There was also a “Walk with Your Son” element where the fathers joined their sons for a walk along the streets in Black Rock.
Principal of the Black Rock Government Primary School, Keishia Callendar, noted the boys were targeted for this project as they are among the at-risk population in the community and are in need of support from male figures.
“At the school, we have nine female teachers and one male teacher, so our boys are predominantly influenced by females, and even me, being a female principal, and we see where the men, fathers, they have a role to play. They can do things that we females cannot do, and we decided to partner with the Black Rock Peace Initiative group, whereby we can have the fathers to be that positive role model.”
They were intentional about the year groups selected. Ms. Callendar also expressed excitement about the response from the fathers.
“These boys are the leaders in our school, so if we channel the male leaders in our school down the right direction, they will influence the younger boys. I was so happy that they really came up. They showed up, they showed off, and even fathers who said, ‘Miss, I wouldn’t stay,’ I saw them stay, so I said, ‘To God be the glory.'”
Mr. Charles hopes that in the future there will be an evaluation session, as they hope the fathers will implement the suggestions provided.
“The need for them to be aware of the passwords of their children. The need for them to monitor what their children do on social media. The need for them to understand that they can collaborate with one another if they seem to be having challenges.”
One father, Rodell Herbert, shared that the programme was informative.
“It should get more, and more fathers should come out because it is very important for young men in society today. With these young men, they need guidance, and as a father, I have an important role to play, not just with my child but other children.”
Another father, Alloy Lee-Fai, outlined a piece of information he took to heart from the session.
“One thing that they said is that you can’t be a perfect father. So despite you trying your best, understand that sometimes you might fail. There are things you might do wrong and just learn from your mistakes and improve on it.”
The school’s principal hopes that there will be continued partnership with the community and fathers for the students’ development.