The From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation
The From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation in the London Borough of Southwark was founded in 1996 by Decima Francis and Uanu Seshmi, following concern within the community about the number of young black boys being excluded from school and becoming involved with gangs, drugs and violence. Behind their tough street image, disaffected boys like these suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. All too often they do not have positive role models or stable adults in their lives to guide them through the transition from boyhood to manhood. Decima says "they don’t want to have role models who are footballers, they want role models who they know personally...people who are close at home who they can emulate properly."
Since it began in 1996, FBMF has helped over 11,000 young people: some have returned to school or college, many have gained academic qualifications, all have re-assessed their attitudes, behaviour and direction in life. Uanu believes “it is no use keep telling a young person that they are bad and they have low self-esteem, we must instead empower them to change their negative behaviour from within, by teaching them how to deal with adversity and the challenges of life.”
As well as helping the boys to gain academic qualifications, the FBMF also places great emphasis on well being and self-healing. It does this through the power of self-knowledge, relationships and community participation. FBMF believe that acquiring the skills of well being, the power to forgive; and knowing love through experiential life challenges, prepares young people with the functional skills to deal with live and its challenges.