South Africa: Lunchbox Bullies -3-Year Streaming
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- CE-BVL-51956-3 Year Streaming
Its noon in the small South African township of Alexandra, and a group of 8-year-olds streams excitedly out of a classroom to eat their lunch. But Thabo, known for stealing from the others, stays inside. Like many of his peers in the poverty-stricken region, he is sent to school each day without food or money to buy a meal. Thabo and four of his classmates are profiled in this program about South African children whose family histories of abuse and neglect are causing behavioral problems at school. Viewers also hear from Gift, who is teased because his mother died of AIDS; Tshidi, bullied for being born outside of Johannesburg; and from frustrated teachers, parents, and guardians.
Segments in this Video:
A Child's Rights (01:48)
FREE PREVIEWWe see the provisions declared in the 1987 Child Care Act. Young boys discuss the abuse and neglect that they face.
An Unruly Classroom (03:08)
Several children misbehave during class. Gift and Khanyisani name their friends. Patrick, the teacher, says Bongani's nickname is Obama. He says Obama has emotional issues and acts out.
Classroom Temperaments (02:15)
Mzwakhe's nickname is Gundi. His aunt, Phindi, describes Gundi as naughty. Ntombi says that Thabo is not a bully. Thabo loves soccer and wants to play for the Chiefs. Gift lives with his granny Nora; his mother died.
Problems at Home Can Lead to Bullying (03:37)
Thembi says one of her school's biggest challenges is that many students have no parents. Many children come from poor families and live with their grannies; some are abused and some are bullies. Tshidi recalls a time her granny was ill.
Bongani, a Troubled Youth (03:54)
Thembi recalls a time she disciplined Bongani and his friends. Bongani and his family reveal disturbing facts about Bongani's behavior and his home life.
Bongani, Repeating a Pattern (01:41)
Bongani's scars and bruises reveal his home life; many know Bongani as a thief. A teacher discusses Bongani's history. Mzwakhe states that Bongani is the one who starts fights. Mzwakhe believes he will be punished if he tattles.
School Gangs (02:27)
Gift discusses Bongani's behavior toward him. We see Bongani fighting on the playground. Phindi recalls being called to the school because Mzwakhe was stealing. Mzwakhe recalls hitting a classmate.
Hunger Makes Thabo Short-Tempered (02:22)
Thabo's grandmother claims his home life has made him a bully. Thabo recalls being teased by two schoolmates and beating a boy. Zanele, Thabo's mother, recalls being asked to bring Thabo's father to the school.
Bullying, Imitating Home Life? (02:01)
Khanyisani recalls fighting with two girls. Tshidi says the other children harass her. Her teacher, Patrick, says Tshidi is victimized.
Eating at School (01:10)
Children wait in line for lunch. Tshidi feels bad for those who do not eat. She recalls a boy teasing her with food.
"My Mother Doesn't Give Me Food" (04:45)
Thabo cries as he talks about going hungry; sometimes his granny hides food for him. Ntombi bluntly states that Thabo lacks parenting. Thabo wears old, worn clothes and accuses his mother of abuse. She says Thabo provokes her.
Using Fear and Humiliation to Curb Behavior (02:39)
Bongani admits to stealing perfume and bringing it to school. His aunt, Caroline, admits to beating him as punishment. Bongani and Caroline disagree about the instrument of punishment. Caroline says her only responsibility is to feed Bongani.
Teased About AIDS (02:05)
Norah claims that parents and students insult her grandson, Gift. Gift recalls being recently harassed about his mother's death. Norah offers give him words of advice.
On His Own (03:08)
In a detached manner, Phindi, Mzwakhe's aunt, discusses his situation. The school principal notices that Mzwakhe receives no love. She recalls him stealing lunch money. Mzwakhe says his aunt cut his shoes to make them fit.
Youth and Violence (02:07)
Khanyisani plays with a toy gun and talks about his father shooting someone. Tshidi recalls a man trying to take the family's home from them during a "xenophobic attack."
Possible Runaways (01:13)
Patrick counts the number of students without a mother or father; many have only one parent. Thembi says parents should love their children and explain to them that they do not have money.
Caretakers of Troubled Children (02:40)
Caroline compares her time as a student to Bongani's. Phindi is angry that she faces her challenges alone. Ntombi and Zanele discuss Thabo's future. Norah wants Gift to know that she tried to raise him well.
Show Children Love (02:56)
Students dance in the school courtyard. Khanyisani's mother, Mbali, tells him he should get an education to become a better person. No fee schools provide lunches, free of charge. Students reveal what they want to be when they grow up.
Credits: South Africa: Lunchbox Bullies (00:51)
Credits: South Africa: Lunchbox Bullies
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Length: 48 minutes
Item#: BVL51956
ISBN: 978-1-61753-164-4
Copyright date: ©2009
Closed Captioned
Prices include public performance rights.
