When we hear the word “brotherhood”, the connotation might not always be positive as it is often associated with gangsterism. There is, however, a different kind of brotherhood, united through a Christian foundation and ethos.
Calling Academy is a low-fee independent school that provides high-quality education to boys from low-income communities around Stellenbosch and Kroonstad. In addition to providing top-quality education, the school aims to help their learners discover God’s calling for their lives.
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“I am surprised to be where I am today,” says Calling Academy learner, Daniel. He shares that he had to deal with many family issues when he was younger, especially because he was raised by a single mother and his father was never really in the picture.
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“Most of the time it was me, my mother, and my younger brother… we supported each other. It hit me when I was older that I’ve never had a male role model or a father figure in my life, so I started looking in the wrong places,” he explains.
Daniel didn’t really enjoy primary school because he felt different to the other children and struggled to fit in. “As soon as I came to Calling Academy, however, I felt like I found my identity. The teachers don’t only focus on academics, but also who you are and who you want to be in the future. We have this thing, it’s like a brotherhood. We accept and love one another as brothers — no matter the race or colour of our skin. It’s been amazing to see how boys can encourage one another,” says Daniel.
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Calling Academy opened its doors to 60 Grade 8 boys from 13 different primary schools in January 2018. There are currently 336 learners at Calling Academy Stellenbosch and Calling Academy Kroonstad combined, served by 26 staff members. Apart from academics, sport and culture, Calling Academy also offers connect groups to their learners. The school encourages their learners to “make every effort to confirm their callings” in accordance with their school verse, 2 Peter 1:10. Through the connect group system, boys have the opportunity to partake in small group mentoring sessions on a weekly basis. Group leaders from local churches and organisations lead these meetings which have a firm Christian foundation.
Says Daniel: “Being at Calling Academy changed me a lot. It changed my perspective of myself, other people and of life in general. When I saw how boys are able to support each other, that’s when I started to change. I live in an area where there is a lot of gangsterism, so some of the stuff we do at school I try to take back home to my community…”
Find out more about Calling Academy here: https://www.callingeducation.org.za
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