School · Family · Experience · Network

Mentorship and Life-Readiness for Boys Aged 13–18

Rising Sons Africa is a school-based mentorship and life-readiness programme for boys aged 13–18. Through RSA Foundations 13–15 and RSA Transition 16–18, boys develop through Identity, Responsibility, Relationships, Leadership and Purpose.

Boys taking part in a Rising Sons Africa learning activity

Two Formal Programmes

RSA Foundations · Ages 13–15 — Concrete, practical and guided development around everyday choices, relationships, responsibility and early independence.

RSA Transition · Ages 16–18 — Greater reflection and accountability around independence, relationships, money, study, work, influence and preparation for adulthood.

Explore RSA Foundations & Transition

13–18

Boys served

2

Formal programmes

5

Developmental areas

27

School sessions per programme

Why Rising Sons Africa

Adolescence asks boys to make increasingly important choices about identity, relationships, technology, responsibility, influence and their future. RSA gives boys structured time, trusted mentorship and practical tools to reflect, practise and apply what they are learning.

Boys learning and working together

School-Based by Design

RSA works through partner schools because schools provide a trusted rhythm and regular access to boys without requiring teachers to become another set of instructors.

Two Age-Specific Programmes

Foundations supports boys aged 13–15 with more concrete, guided and practical learning. Transition supports boys aged 16–18 with greater reflection, independence and accountability.

One Connected Ecosystem

School delivery is reinforced by families, age-appropriate experiences and the wider RSA Network.

Our Vision

To raise a generation of resilient, emotionally grounded, ethical and future-ready young men who contribute positively to their families, communities and wider society.

One Connected Ecosystem

Rising Sons Africa is a school-based mentorship and life-readiness programme for boys aged 13–18. School learning is reinforced by families, age-appropriate experiences and the wider RSA Network.

01

School

The core programme is delivered through partner schools in 27 mentor-led sessions across three terms.

  • RSA Foundations
  • RSA Transition
  • Three school terms
  • Weekly mentor-led sessions
02

Family

Parents and caregivers reinforce selected learning through light, practical and age-appropriate engagement.

  • Family orientation
  • Consent and communication
  • Practical reinforcement
  • Future-readiness conversations
03

Experience

Two age-appropriate holiday experiences help boys apply learning through challenge, teamwork, contribution and reflection.

  • Challenge
  • Teamwork
  • Contribution
  • Reflection
04

Network

The RSA Network creates suitable opportunities for connection, service, career exposure and continued engagement between and beyond the formal programmes.

  • Connection
  • Service
  • Career exposure
  • Continued engagement

Five Areas of Development

Both RSA Foundations and RSA Transition develop boys through Identity, Responsibility, Relationships, Leadership and Purpose. The questions remain consistent; the depth, examples, tools and expectations change with age and stage.

1
Identity

Who am I becoming?

Strengths, values, belonging, influences and who I am becoming.

2
Responsibility

How do my choices shape my future?

Choices, habits, accountability, consequences and responsible independence.

3
Relationships

How do I treat others?

Communication, trust, boundaries, reciprocity, repair and asking for help.

4
Leadership

How do I influence positively?

Contribution, reliability, teamwork, initiative and responsible influence.

5
Purpose

What am I building?

Interests, skills, future possibilities, study/work choices, contribution and practical next steps.

Safeguarding Is Built Into the Programme

Families trust us with what matters most. That trust is supported through clear safeguarding standards, responsible leadership and environments designed to protect every participant.

Professional Mentors

RSA uses trained Professional Mentors, screened adults, clear role boundaries and safeguarding induction.

Clear Safeguarding Routes

RSA and each partner school maintain defined safeguarding responsibilities, escalation routes and protected records.

Consent & Boundaries

Parent/caregiver consent and participant assent are required. There is no forced disclosure or unapproved unsupervised one-to-one adult access.

Questions Parents and Families Often Ask

Find quick answers about the programme, mentorship, family involvement and safeguarding.

Who is RSA for?

Boys aged 13–18 through RSA Foundations 13–15 and RSA Transition 16–18.

Is it only a camp?

No. RSA is school-based. Holiday experiences reinforce school learning; they are not the programme itself.

Who guides the boys?

Professional RSA Mentors, with approved specialists where their expertise adds value.

Are parents involved?

Yes. Family reinforcement is light, practical and age-appropriate.

Is RSA counselling?

No. RSA is a structured developmental programme, not a clinical or therapeutic service.

How is safety handled?

Through parent/caregiver consent, participant assent, screened adults, supervision, safeguarding procedures and clear reporting routes.

Start a Conversation

Whether you are a school, parent or caregiver, prospective Professional Mentor, partner, sponsor or practitioner, we would be glad to hear from you.