Be Strong, Be Wise in South Africa
In South Africa, a country with the highest gender-based violence rate in the world, the Be Strong, Be Wise (BSBW) initiative provides innovative and engaging trainings for adolescents to increase their safety, self-esteem, and relational skills.
What We Do
Be Strong, Be Wise (BSBW) was founded by subject-matter expert Amy Carpenter, LCSW, in the United States in 2019. BSBW’s curriculum includes two books, a teaching manual, and dozens of interactive games, role plays, and other activities to improve relational attitudes and skills among girls and boys, both teens and young adults. The curriculum focuses on teaching young people how to create and sustain healthy relationships based on respect, communicating boundaries, understanding peer to peer safety, the dangers of pornography and so much more. Be Strong, Be Wise was adopted by several high schools, youth organizations and colleges in the US, and received significant media coverage.
A well-established NGO in South Africa, Ubuntu Partners Trust (UPT), recognized that the program could be extremely effective in South Africa. At the invitation of UPT, Amy traveled to South Africa for a period of four months, where she taught trainings in various regions across the country, building meaningful connections that led to several school contracts within a short amount of time.
BSBW-SA is now a registered non-profit in South Africa, with several individual and NGO partnerships in place throughout the country. Seasoned staff members within each partner NGO have been trained as facilitators and have been delivering the evidence-based program in their communities for months. Amy Carpenter and Thembisile Ngcobo, Co-Directors of BSBW-SA are responsible for overseeing each of the South African Coordinators who in turn, are overseeing the groups of trained facilitators delivering the course in their respective region.
Amy Carpenter and Thembisile Ngcobo, Co-Directors of Be Strong, Be Wise South Africa
see our work in action!
Testimonials
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Sexual Harassment & Assault Prevention Workshop I attended on August 22nd. The training was incredibly impactful—it not only clarified the critical differences between harassment and assault but also equipped me with practical tools to promote consent, respect boundaries, and support survivors. The way you both facilitated the session made complex topics feel safe to discuss, and the resources shared were invaluable.
I’ve already applied this knowledge: I led a follow-up session for a group of girls at school, teaching them to recognize red flags, communicate assertively, and seek help confidently. But what truly stood out was the response from the guys in my team. They were engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and even shared personal reflections on how to be better allies. It sparked meaningful conversations that extended beyond the workshop, creating a ripple effect of accountability.
Your work is making a real difference. Thank you for empowering us to build safer, more empathetic communities. I look forward to future collaborations.
Warm regards,
Moshia flower Sathekge
TEACHER IN PRETORIA
It was an honour to have _Be_ _strong_ and _Be_ _Wise_ Programme come into our school Bonela Secondary . As a teacher I am really grateful to the people involved in putting together such a valuable and well presented Programme for our youth. Learners who participated in this Programme have gained a great deal of vital imformation. They are now keen to impart the knowledge they received from the Programme to other Learners. They have been well equipted with regards to _'Sex_ _Safety'_, issues of being _Assertive_ when it comes to relationships.
I really appreciated 'Be Strong Be Wise' as our Learners have now been empowered and have become well able to express themselves when they are not comfortable in a situation. This Programme has really assisted them and are posing as a good example to other Learners as well. We humbly request to still have Miss Nolwazi and Mr Melusi to continue to come through and render their services of running the Programme with more Learners. There's been evidence of great improvement seen in those Learners who attended the Programme.
Yours faithfully,
Miss TS Zigode
TEACHER IN DURBAN
Thank You Notes From Students
I'm sitting down to write this message with a heart full of gratitude and a soul deeply touched by your kindness. Your decision to give me the opportunity to be part of this life-changing program has been a divine blessing in my life!
Thank you for believing in me, for seeing potential in me, and for selecting me to experience the guidance, wisdom, and love shared by amazing mentors like Mr. Melusi and Mrs. Nolwazi. Your initiative has positively impacted my life in ways I never thought possible - helping me grow personally, emotionally, and spiritually. You've helped me discover my strengths, overcome weaknesses, and develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction.
Thank you for investing in my future, for caring about my well-being, and for providing me with tools to succeed in life. Your program has been a safe space for me to express myself, to learn from others, and to gain confidence in my abilities. It's helped me develop essential life skills, like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which I'll cherish forever.
Please know that your efforts are making a REAL difference in lives like mine - inspiring hope, sparking positive change, and leaving lasting legacies. I'm honored to have been part of this journey and grateful for the experience, knowledge, and love gained.
Thank you again for your vision, trust, and generosity. Thank you for being an angel in disguise, making a profound impact on my life. I'll always treasure this experience and never forget your kindness.
Grateful beyond words, tears, and expressions,
Student at Bonela High School
CONTACT
We Welcome Inquiries!
Thembisile Ngcobo, thembi.ngcobo@icloud.com