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How Nature Helps SA’s Fatherless Boys

Source By women on top
2 hours ago

In Western philosophy, the concept of “the healing power of nature” dates to Hippocrates, the father of medicine. However, indigenous knowledge across the world also believes in the restorative capacity of being connected to nature. While modern science delivers ample evidence that nature is good for body, mind, and soul, people everywhere know this as truth because of their own lived experiences.The Character Company (TCC) draws on this healing power of nature in its mentorship programme for fatherless boys. According to a 2021 survey by the Human Sciences Research Council, more than 60% of South African children don’t live with their biological fathers, and only 20% of those have contact with their fathers at least twice a week. This crisis of fatherlessness is particularly hard on boys, who depend on their fathers as role models for creating positive masculine identities.

For over a decade, the non-profit organisation, TCC, has stepped up with a mentorship programme that helps to transform the lives of boys who are growing up with absent fathers. Central to the TCC approach is the use of nature as the backdrop for a range of outdoor activities that instill values like respect, courage, self-discipline, kindness, and honesty. Through weekly mentorship sessions, weekend camps, and adventure trips, TCC provides not just fun nature-based experiences, but opportunities for personal growth and character building.The nature connectionJaco van Schalkwyk, founder, and CEO of The Character Company, explains why nature plays such a pivotal role: “Children are adventurous explorers, and for our boys, being outdoors fulfils so much of what we need – exercise, sun on our skin, wind in our hair, and the adventure of it all. But it’s more than that.Nature pushes us to grow. Whether it’s climbing a tall tree or taking a leap into a river off a high rock, these moments teach boys courage in the safe spaces we create for them. Helping set up a campsite and sitting around a campfire having conversations and listening to others’ stories foster collaboration and empathy and give boys the opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their adult male mentors and other boys.”Beyond the thrill of adventure, these activities deepen the boys’ understanding of the world around them. “There’s an important educational factor. Our boys learn about fynbos on a Table Mountain hike or wildlife, birds, and trees on a Kruger Park camp,” Van Schalkwyk says. “This fosters a real appreciation for nature and the realisation that we are all custodians of South Africa’s natural heritage.”These experiences are designed to leave lasting impressions, creating positive childhood memories that boys carry for a lifetime.Therapeutic escape from the digital worldIn a world dominated by screens and devices, TCC’s outdoor excursions provide a much-needed antidote and opportunities to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Van Schalkwyk emphasises the importance of unplugging:“When we go on these trips, there’s no tech allowed except for taking photos. You leave the internet and gaming environments behind and reconnect with the real world by scrambling over rocks, rafting down rivers, and going on scorpion hunts at night. Nature allows boys to simply be themselves. They talk to each other, invent and play games, and share stories, sometimes about deeper things. Around the campfire, they’re present for each other, contributing to the group and growing together.”This intentional disconnection from technology fosters emotional regulation, an essential skill for boys learning to navigate life’s challenges.The psychological benefits of natureAccording to Janine Kendall, Counselling Psychologist and the Head of Learning and Teaching at SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology), nature-based activities have profound emotional and psychological impacts on boys. “Engaging with nature reduces stress and anxiety while enhancing self-esteem and resilience,” she explains. “It’s a setting that promotes emotional regulation and supports overall mental well-being.”Kendall highlights the unique social benefits as well. “Group activities in nature encourage teamwork and communication, building trust and social competence. These shared experiences, such as hiking or solving challenges together, create bonds that foster a sense of belonging.”For fatherless boys, this is especially significant. “Interactions with male mentors in these settings provide much-needed role modelling,” Kendall says. “Boys gain not just guidance but also the sense that they are valuable and cared for—something every child needs.”A holistic approachThe Character Company’s programme is more than just weekend camps or an adventure holiday – it’s a combination of consistent experiences that address the gaps left by absent fathers. “When a mentor takes the time to go fishing with a boy or shares a hike, it fills a void,” says Van Schalkwyk. “It doesn’t replace the father, but it shows a vulnerable boy that he’s valuable and cared for by a good man. He grows in his self-worth.”The way forwardNature offers boys a canvas to explore, grow, and reconnect – with themselves, their mentors, and the world. As Kendall concludes, “Nature-based activities don’t just build character; they build resilience, empathy, and a sense of belonging. These are critical foundations for boys who will grow into the good men our society needs.”Through their tried and tested mentorship programme, The Character Company is shaping not just the lives of individual boys, but the future of South Africa. To support TCC’s work, a R5 000-00 donation will sponsor a fatherless boy on the programme for 2025. This includes weekly mentorship sessions, three-weekend camps, and one nature-based adventure trip.