An Aitkenvale boy was a runner up in the national ‘Stop it at the Start’ campaign’s Respect competition

10-year-old Innocent Muhindo is encouraging others to be more respectful, after creating a short storyboard titled ‘The Mirror of the Heart’.

Innocent Muhindo was a runner up in the ‘Stop it at the Start’ campaign’s Respect competition. Picture: Holly Fishlock.

An Aitkenvale boy has taken home $250 for the ‘Stop it at the Start’ campaign’s Respect competition.

The competition invited young Australians to illustrate a short storyboard about respect, with the winning entries being transformed into an animation.

While he didn’t take home the top prize, 10-year-old Innocent Muhindo was a runner up, creating a short cartoon titled ‘The Mirror of the Heart’, about ways boys can respect girls in sport.

“When [the mirror of the heart] is clean, it reflects the light of the sun and the light of God, and when it gets dusty or dirty, it stops reflecting that light,” spiritual education teacher Melanie Lotfali said.

“The story is about a boy who goes to soccer, and he sees there’s a girl on his team. He says ‘what are you doing here, girls can’t play soccer’, and the dust falls on the mirror of his heart.”

Innocent Muhindo with mother Aline and siblings Neema, 17, Esther, 14, Espe, 12, Nyota, 8, and Moses, 5. Picture: Holly Fishlock

“But as he starts to make respectful choices, the dust drops away from the mirror of his heart.”

Innocent wasted no time using his prize money to help his family, buying ice cream for his siblings, a gift for his mother and teacher, and groceries for his family.

Innocent’s father Nsenga Muhindo said he’s pleased to see his son’s achievement.

“I read the whole book, and I was happy. I’m proud of his work,” Mr Muhindo said.

Innocent said was excited to learn he was a runner up, and Dr Lotfali hopes the story will inspire change.

“Let’s all bring more light to the world by being more respectful.”

Innocent’s storyboard is featured on the ‘Violence against women: Stop it at the start’ website.

Originally published as An Aitkenvale boy was a runner up in the national ‘Stop it at the Start’ campaign’s Respect competition