Survivor of bullying turns ‘pain into power’
As the country observes Youth Month, a former Woodlands pupil who was bullied by her classmates has launched an NPO with a strong anti-bullying message.
Celita Jenecker, 24, from Morgen’s Village was bullied at her high school for three years but has now turned her pain into power.
She has founded a non-profit organisation called 42 Unbreakable and launched an anti-bullying clothing campaign.
“I was bullied by three boys in school. They would call me all sorts of names, the class would laugh and some in class would pick on me too. No one stood up for me, it happened all the time. I would try my best to avoid them, even eating my lunch in the school toilet,” she said.
She was also bullied online and later physically bullied at school. She reported it to her teacher as well as her mother, Barbara Jenecker, who reported the matter but did not get help.
“I was afraid, I had bad thoughts because the feeling of going back to school felt like a nightmare. I started believing the bad words spoken over me, I thought it was part of my identity but now that I’m stronger and able to tell my story, I knew that what they did was not who I am,” she said.
Ms Jenecker removed Celita from the school in Woodlands due to the ongoing bullying and she completed her schooling at BALCO (Built Adult Learning Co-Operative) College in Portland.
Her NPO and campaign aims to spread a message of hope and strength.
The 42 Unbreakable NPO launched on Sunday June 2, with Celita’s sister, Kayla Jenecker and her mother as co-directors.
Kayla said this was one of her sister’s dreams. “I knew it was the right thing to do and the right time as this campaign is really special to us.”
Their anti-bullying campaign has already been running for eight years, with outreach programmes in schools, hosting pageants as a way to help pupils develop confidence and steer them towards organisations that can help report bullying.
As part of the NPO, they will be training facilitators and connecting with the department of social development so that they can work in schools as a unit.
They've been doing presentations on bullying to small groups in schools as this is a sensitive topic, said Ms Jenecker.
Their self-funded line of clothing for the anti-bullying campaign will be sold so that they can pour proceeds back into programmes.
Ms Jenecker said a lot of work was done behind the scenes but she enjoys working alongside her girls, creating awareness around a “sometimes unspoken reality”.
“My mom sincerely encouraged me through this ordeal. She knew I wasn't strong enough to fight this battle on my own and fought alongside me until the very end,” said Celita.
“You are never a victim but victorious. We want to continue to eradicate bullying by visiting schools to raise awareness,” she said.
Mitchell’s Plain United Residents’ Association (MURA) court watch and executive member Linda Jones said bullying is a big problem and pupils have died because of it.
Teachers and staff members are not always around at break times. Previously schools had monitors where students could be observed to prevent any violent incidents, she said.
“The Department of Education is not giving the support to schools as they should, as bullying remains rife and perpetrators are not getting the proper help in order to change their behaviour,” said Ms Jones.
In Celita's case, it is great that she has changed her situation to bring about awareness “but how many victims did not survive their case?” asked Ms Jones.
“There is a reality, one must be truthful that many suicide cases are directly linked to situations leading to bullying. Our laws for the rights of children have been downplayed. Household situations are often displayed at schools. All entities have to come together and uproot the core of bullying,” said Ms Jones.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond told the Plainsman a pupil should report bullying to either their school counsellor or teacher. The teacher has the obligation to escalate the matter to the appropriate structures at school which should be followed by disciplinary action.
“The WCED welcomes interventions, like Celita's, that address the issue of bullying. We have seen numerous pupils who have experienced bullying in the past channel the negativity into something positive. This is to be commended,” she said.
There are numerous anti-bullying campaigns at both district and school level. Schools must address bullying, including cyber-bullying, in their school code of conduct. Disciplinary measures against pupils who distribute, film or participate in events that put the school into disrepute or constitute abuse, assault or bullying – should be addressed, said Ms Hammond.
For more information email Kayla on kaylajen96@gmail.com or contact them on 074 995 4875 or follow their social media pages.
If you wish to report a bullying matter contact the safe schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) offers a 24-hour helpline on 0800 12 13 14 as well as a suicide emergency number on 0800 567 567. Pupils and parents can use these numbers if they feel that the child needs immediate assistance, often after school hours.