"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
Frederick Douglass
 

Langa is a vibrant place; it is a community with talent and creativity in abundance, but it is also afflicted with poverty and all the stressors that go with it. Many of our VUSA children live in challenging social environments, and this environment shapes the way our children think, feel and behave.

In recent years we have worked closely with and learned a great deal from Waves for Change Founders Tim Conibear and Finlay Kettlewell, who use surfing as a therapy tool to address mental health challenges in the same way VUSA uses sport. They have helped us increase our understanding of mental health and the core pillars of our programmes that improve the emotional, psychological and physical well-being of our participants.

The key to our success has been in mobilising passionate coaches; men and women who our children trust and whose consistency and dependability make our children feel safe. Research has shown that supportive and caring relationships are vital in reshaping the brain and the responses to stress, resulting in improved self-regulation, decreased risky behaviour, and improved peer relations and academic performance.