The String Movement is out to disarm bullying with kindness, and movement coordinator Ashley Mays says it is important for every person to feel safe in their own school and community.
The movement raises awareness about bullying by having people tie a piece of string on to their wrist to signify their stand against bullying, and the more people join the movement, the stronger the force will be against bullying.
Mays recalled a personal bullying experience back in school, when a group of girls told her, "We don't want you to be our friend and you can't play with us anymore."
As she walked away, she felt the girls snickering and laughing behind her back. "Any sense of value and confidence I had as a 10 year old was completely torn down," she shared in the Hillsong blog.
Sadly, Mays still sees the same scenario now that she is working in schools. "There are still many young people being bullied and rejected. The effects are huge as their self-esteem gets battered and their dreams and potential threatened," she said.
She added that no one deserves to be bullied and that every person deserves to feel safe in school and be able to learn without feeling trapped and alone. And this is exactly what The String Movement aims to achieve.
"This year The String Movement is taking the message of 'Be Kind' into schools by rallying and empowering students to create 'Home in the Hallways' where they can all feel safe. We use a strengths based approach by encouraging peer involvement and working with them to build community," explained Mays.
Because of peer involvement, there will be no social isolation and young people are encouraged to be the change that will put an end to bullying and replace it with happy and healthy relationships.
