13/07/2025
We held a powerful and heartwarming workshop for kindergarten teachers under the theme “Bana Bona?”, a question that challenges us to truly see and understand the mental and emotional worlds of our youngest children.
In participation we has the Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU), whose officers helped us explore:
- How to listen beyond behaviour
-The critical role of teachers in nurturing safe, responsive learning spaces
- How police and educators can work hand-in-hand to protect children
- And how we can all shift from “discipline first” to understanding first
The CGPU shared real-world experiences from the frontline, reminding us that early intervention can prevent a lifetime of harm. They unpacked how mental health, trauma, and behavioural challenges often go unnoticed, especially in children too young to verbalize their pain.
💬 One teacher shared: “Now I realize that a child who hits others might be asking for help, not attention.”
As HeMA, we are deeply grateful to all the educators who showed up with open hearts and minds, and to the CGPU team for their compassionate, protective presence.
🌱 Let’s keep asking… "Bana bona" Because every child deserves to be seen, heard, and understood.
