Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Lilah, 12, starts anti-bullying campaign
AFTER seeing bullying take the life of Limpopo pupil Lufuno Mavhunga, 12-year-old Lilah Davies was prompted to start an anti-bullying organisation.
The Grade 6 pupil at Plumstead Preparatory School, who fell victim to bullying due to her curly hair, told of the difficulties she endured during that period of her life, which inspired her to want to bring about change.
“It was a very sad and unpleasant time for me. I became withdrawn and didn’t have any friends. When I think back to that time, I was too scared to tell anyone. I thought that bullies would find out if I told my teacher or parents and decided not to do anything about it,” she said.
Lilah said she was mindful of the fact that most victims of bullying did not report incidents out of fear, which was why the Bully-No-More campaign follows the concept of the “bully-nomore” report boxes.
“Two boxes will be assigned to each school, one for each toilet.
“The toilets were chosen as the location place for the boxes because it was usually a place one visited alone, where a note may be discreetly placed into a box. The boxes will remain 100% confidential and anonymous with the solution of immediate and effective help without judgement of either party,” Lilah said.
She said the locked boxes would be checked daily by the school guidance teacher and principal. Depending on the severity of the case, it will be determined if the school may follow protocol or whether intervention from the safe schools unit from the Department of Education is required.
The campaign is sponsored by Resolve Secretarial Services and Square Edge Design Studio.
Other companies are welcome to sponsor schools with a set of boxes at the cost of R25 per box. This includes installation and printing of the company’s name. Donations of box locks and installation services are also welcomed.
Owner of Square Edge Design Studio Stuart Nix, who has the Bully-NoMore boxes printed free of charge, said he felt bullying in schools needed exposure and intervention at all levels.
Spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, Millicent Merton said the department commended Lilah on her initiative as it highlighted the devastating effects of bullying and alternative methods of reporting bullying and providing solutions for all parties affected.