Dignity Day brings pupils new hope
Their school lies in a gang war zone, but as peace ambassadors they are changing the status quo
‘THE school was the most peaceful it has been in many years. What a joy to hear the sounds of learning, undisturbed by noise and unacceptable behaviour. I am proud of the peace ambassadors”.
This was the response from Dino Abrahams, principal of Crystal High School in Hanover Park, to the Dignity Day that was held at the school on Thursday.
Vice principal Fiona Blanchard, the co-ordinator of the school’s peace ambassadors, remarked that the “school was tranquil and peaceful”, and that she wished every day could be a Dignity Day.
There are four law-enforcement officers at the school who said it was the first time they did not have to run after learners and chase them to their classes.
The conflict at our school was zero, there was no noise and no violence. Everyone participated, even the staff, law enforcement, teachers, school governing body and all the learners.
All the learners we spoke to said they felt safe for the first time in a long time. And they were able to concentrate on writing their June exams, without the trauma of violence or major disruptions.
The Grade 11s and 12s joined forces, which ensured that the peace project to prevent conflict was an amazing success.
On Thursday morning, the peace ambassadors arrived at the gates early to welcome everyone. We guided them to their classes in an orderly manner. Anas Avon, one of the peace ambassadors spoke to the some of the aggressive learners, and they responded well. We made sure that nobody bunked classes and we cleared all the places where they normally hide.
We first got permission from the principal to hold Dignity Day, who then got support from the staff. We placed peace posters all over the school. Everyone was excited and the school was changed from being negative before to a vibrant place.
The Grade 12 peace ambassadors were able to achieve something special that made everyone happy and excited.
Our school is situated in a gang warzone and there are shootings all the time. We hear about the killings and community violence and it affects our learning. It is nerve-racking to study like that.
The peace ambassadors attended a peace training session presented by Professor Brian Williams and his team. We never had a professor talk to us before.
We were excited, but also nervous and thought that he would use big words that would confuse us. But he used words and simple ideas about peace that were easy to understand for many of us for whom English is not a first language.
By the end of the training day, we were excited and inspired to make a difference in our lives and within the school. We couldn’t wait to get going.
For me, Samuel Stoffberg, it has filled me with new energy to promote peace. And personally, I feel proud of myself… I feel inspired and blessed.
The peace project made me realise that I have the talent to be a good influence on the youth. Just by smiling at a person, we can brighten their day. We do not know what the next person is going through. As peace ambassadors we can bring light into people’s lives.
As a peace ambassador, for me Chelsea Davids, the training changed the way I look at the word peace. It also changed the way I look at life and made a such a positive impact on me. I was not on the list to go to the training, but I just decided to go because I wanted to know more about peace. I am glad I went, because now I am so excited and motivated to bring inner peace to myself and others.
The Grade 11 and Grade 12 pupils combined to make the Dignity Day a great success.
And our parents are extremely proud of us. Because our school is in a war zone, we need lots of help: tutors for the different subjects; donors who can assist with small things; people who can add any kind of value to help us complete our studies.