LoveMatters

Lifestyle & Relationship Programme

LoveMatters is a Monday-to-Friday residential educational programme for teenagers, hosted at the Don Bosco Centre near Walkerville, Gauteng.

The programme offers young people a safe, structured, and faith-rooted environment to explore relationships, personal identity, responsibility, and life choices in a meaningful way.

Facilitated by Salesians of Don Bosco, trained peer ministers, and invited professionals, LoveMatters combines education, reflection, discussion, recreation, and spiritual growth.

Purpose of the Programme

LoveMatters aims to help young people grow:

Healthy in mind and body
Happy in their sense of identity and self-worth
Free to make responsible life choices
Grounded in strong values
Hopeful about their future

The programme offers values-based sexuality education that encourages young people to appreciate the dignity of human life, the meaning of love, and the importance of commitment within marriage.

It addresses challenges such as peer pressure, HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, and early pregnancies through education, reflection, and honest discussion.

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Who Is LoveMatters For?

LoveMatters is designed for:

Teenagers between 13 and 19 years of age
Schools, youth groups, churches and community organisations
Young people seeking a deeper understanding of relationships and sexuality
Teens who want support in resisting negative peer pressure
Those who wish to build strong foundations for their future marriage
Young people who may want a fresh start and clearer direction

Parents, teachers and youth leaders are also welcome to observe the programme and benefit from its insights.

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What the Programme Covers

Throughout the week, participants engage in:

Biological, medical, and emotional facts about sexuality
Self-esteem and personal identity
Understanding social and peer pressures
Responsible decision-making
Respect, dignity and long-term commitment
Faith perspectives on love and relationships

The programme emphasises abstinence before marriage and fidelity thereafter, while encouraging personal responsibility and strong future goals.

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Physical Manifestation

Experience Marantu in the real world through pop-up installations, community co-creation events, and Eclipse Hub locations – where digital design manifests as physical transformation.

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When?

Any Monday to Friday which suits you? As this program is an educational experience of equivalent value to school time outings, to tours, veld-skool camps and retreats, missing a few school days has not been a problem to attending groups.

Fees:

The actual cost per participant is R831,39 for Full Love Matters, Mini LoveMatters R674,10 all inclusive, but groups can be subsidized to various extents. Groups should consist of a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 100 teenagers. Groups with fewer than 50 participants may find themselves combined with another group.

Please note: Those who are able to pay more for themselves will allow us to sponsor other needy youths who would not be able to afford such an opportunity. All fees are to be made payable to the Don Bosco Centre Bank Account.

Account No: 333 021 983
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch Code: 014 637

What to bring!

Bedding/sleeping bag (extras in winter)

Swimming costume (In summer)

Casual clothes

Sports gear

Toiletries

Towel

What to leave behind!

Radios/walkmans

Cellphones & torches

Drugs & alcohol

Bad attitudes

Program outline

Please organize to arrive between 13h00 and 14h00 on Monday, and to leave between 13h00 and 14h00 on Friday afternoon.

PM – General introductions Ice-breakers, key-note address, B Free!

AM – The facts! Biological & medical & emotional.

PM – I am worth waiting for! Self-esteem! B happy!

AM – See – understanding the pressures & asking the right questions.

PM – Learning from the mistakes of others. B sexy!

AM – Judge – Getting the right answers! B Holy!

PM – It is possible to change! Things can be different!

AM: Act – Where to from here? True Love Waits Pledge

The need for peer support groups & follow-up!

Daily Timetable

Morning	Activity	Afternoon	Activity
07:30	Morning reflection	12:30	Lunch
08:00	Breakfast	13:15	Organized games (Sports blitz-tournament)
09:00	LGP (Large Group Presentation)	14:15	Free time options (Swimming/Walks/Rest)
10:00	SGD (Small group discussion)	15:30	Refreshments
10:30	Open forum	16:00	LGP (Large Group Presentation)
10:45	Break	17:00	SGD
11:15	LGP (Large Group Presentation)	17:30	Recreation / Mass (Optional)
11:45	SGD (Small group discussion)	18:30	Supper
		19:30	LGP (Large Group Presentation)
		20:30	SGD (Small group discussion)
		21:00	Variety of experiences
		22:30	Night reflection
		23:00	Bedtime

Participants Feedback

This experience made me realize that abstinence is the safest option.

Grade 9 Participant

Student

I discovered that people who wait for marriage have a better chance of being happy and fulfilled than those who risk premarital sex.

Grade 10 Participant

Student

Even though I already knew lots about AIDS and STDs and the consequences of sexual activity, this week has given me more courage and provided me with many more reasons for saying no until marriage!

Grade 11 Participant

Student

LoveMatters has helped me realize that there is nothing wrong with staying a virgin until marriage. In fact, it is the best way to remain “sexy” – that is, attractive and desirable.

Participant

Student

LoveMatters

Lifestyle & Relationship Programme

Purpose of the Programme

Who Is LoveMatters For?

What the Programme Covers

Physical Manifestation

When?

Fees:

What to bring!

What to leave behind!

Program outline

Daily Timetable

Participants Feedback

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