Two KY-ND Benches Donated to Help Teens Going Through Hard Times

Photo Credit: Kaboompics .com from Pexels

The KY-ND movement has seen two benches placed in thoughtful spaces to help teens who may need a moment to pause and reflect.

South Africa (22 July 2025) – When Jenni Rowe lost her son to suicide, she found a way to navigate her grief through sharing her story and helping parents and teens who may be going through hard times. Jenni, joined by her long-time friend Joni Peddie, who is an incredible motivational speaker, recently took part in a few school talks in the Western Cape to promote kindness and resilience.

Jenni Rowe found peace after losing her son to suicide, through honouring his life and sharing kindness. By founding the brand KY-ND, she has found a way to give back to teens in need while creating an important conversation in South Africa.

Jenni’s son Ky left this world on the 9th of August 2022; she was left shattered by the loss, saying it felt like being hit by a tsunami. She questioned every moment of his life leading up to that moment.

Similarly, Matthew Hallas parents, Sarah and David, honour his memory by championing causes that support mental health for teens and kindness overall. The fund was founded in 2021 after Matt, who had struggled with mental health and substance abuse, committed suicide.

The Matthew Hallas Memorial Fund collaborated with KY-ND to sponsor two beautiful benches, which were donated to Westerford High and Elkanah House in the Western Cape. The connection between the organisations, KY-ND and the Matthew Hallas Memorial Fund, is a profound one, each working to honour their beloved sons.

The benches are designated to be zones where teens can pause and reflect on what might be causing them to struggle. The benches are placed in peaceful spaces where they have the power to not only provide solace but perhaps also comfort and, best yet, provide courage to reach out and ask for help.

Both schools reached out to Jenni and Joni, who had joined the recent talks, to express their gratitude for the beautiful and meaningful gifts.

“The KY-NDness Bench now sits in our beautiful garden, surrounded by the sounds of children playing, kicking a soccer ball nearby, sharing lunch or simply sitting together to talk and connect. The beautifully worded plaque is a powerful reminder that the world simply needs more kind people in it.

We have shared this message with our children, encouraging them to carry forward the spirit of kindness in their daily lives. Your generous and meaningful gift has already begun to allow people to connect and will continue to do so for many years to come.
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Thank you once again.” – Pippa Sinclair, Principal at Elkanah House Senior Prep

“Thank you very much for the bench donation and the words that have been inscribed on it for all to stop and read. At any time, a pupil can stop and rest on the bench and be positively led / motivated by the words that are on the bench. It adds to the bigger picture of what we are trying to do at Westerford daily and that is to be aware of mental health for all and that people are encouraged to look out for themselves.” – Mark Smith, Principal at Westerford High School

These benches are more than just a shaded spot to rest; they are creating small changes in how teens seek help and inspire kindness in everyday life. They are a legacy that will live on in KY-NDness.