Bullying is a serious issue that affects many individuals, especially students in educational institutions. It can have negative impacts on one's mental and emotional wellbeing, leading to fear, anxiety, and depression. To combat this issue, our NGO, HFDI conducted a school outreach program at Laro Grammar School in Osogbo.
The facilitator from HFDI began by defining bullying as the use of force, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate someone. She went on to explain the different types of bullying, which include physical and verbal bullying. Physical bullying involves any bullying that hurts someone's body or damages their possessions. Examples of physical bullying include stealing, shoving, hitting, fighting, and intentionally destroying someone's property. Verbal bullying, on the other hand, is conducted through the use of words or body language without any physical contact.
The facilitator emphasized the negative impacts of bullying on individuals who are subjected to it. Victims of bullying often suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and fear. This can lead to educational setbacks and even mental health issues such as depression.
In an effort to combat bullying, it is important for victims to report incidents of bullying to school authorities. Reporting is essential in ensuring that bullies are held accountable for their actions and that proper disciplinary measures are taken.
Thanks to HFDI's school outreach program, 200 students and 22 teachers at Laro Grammar School were educated on the harmful effects of bullying and how to combat it. Through this program, students were encouraged to stop the act of bullying and create a safer learning environment for all students. Our NGO will continue to partner with other organizations to create more educational programs and initiatives that aim at combating issues that confront our communities.