The Bears of Blueberry Forest, which started as a book series, will make their way to Huguenot Primary and House Andrew Murray on Thursday 5 March as part of its national anti-bullying campaign.
The life-size teddy bear movement wants to promote kindness and empathy among children and teach them how to understand and express their feelings.
The campaign was begun by Bears of Blueberry Forest author Deborah McPhilemy, who started teaching emotional intelligence in 2003.
Bullied herself as a child, she could relate to the torment and intimidation many children face every day. For this reason she is passionate about sharing life skills with young ones, who bully or are being bullied, through this campaign.
“She [Deborah] is passionate about helping children to grow up with these skills especially because it helps to alleviate bullying and gives you the skills to deal with adversity,” says Eve Kelly, a spokesperson for the campaign.
The programme is presented at schools, pre-schools, care centres, orphanages and organisations working with children. According to Kelly, bullying can be stopped when children are taught empathy. She said adults have to take the lead in teaching them this quality and how to apply it.
“Children need our help, we need to teach them that emotions are normal, and it is okay to have feelings, whatever they are, but it’s not okay to use your emotions to hurt other people.”
The message that the Bears of Blueberry Forest brings across is important, especially for parents desperate to help their children deal with mental health issues.
According to Kelly emotional and mental health issues are worse than ever.
“Bullying is of epidemic proportions, anxiety, depression and children committing suicide is on the rise”.
Mr South Africa 2019, Heinrich Gabler, originally from Wellington, was recently named the campaign’s ambassador. He says he admires and understands the importance of the project.
“I would just love to use my platform that I have to bring awareness of the importance of dealing with hurt caused by bullying, and I also would love to share my story of hope and forgiveness with every opportunity provided to me,” says Gabler.
He feels the campaign will help bring healing to younger generations and will assist adults better understand what kids are going through and why they have certain emotions.
“It’s really about understanding what kids are dealing with and provides ‘tools’ for adults to really understand what emotional intelligence is all about. Once they have grasped the concept, I believe our future generation will be in good hands.”
For more information about the campaign and the Bears of Blueberry Forest email info@teddysinc.com or visit www.teddysinc.com.
