Counselling for 15 women refugees in South Africa

Summary

Healing workshops give women refugees from poor communities access to counselling, with the added benefit of group support. project reportread updates from the field

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Received $6,973 from 93 donations from people like:

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More Information About this Project

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

Women refugees often live together in one shelter, but rarely share painful memories. Lack of trust as well as culture and language differences prevent them. Healing workshops create a safe space where they can open up to others who are in a similar situation. The time spent together during the workshop often makes these women more effective advocates on behalf of themselves and fellow refugees. Many are able to let go of painful feelings, and most leave workshops with a new sense of hope.

Activities

Tailor and lead a workshop, lasting two and a half days. This intense experience allows refugee women find an emotional release by dealing with issues in their lives that have for long not been attended to.

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $6,973
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $527
Total Funding Goal: $7,500

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

Why this Project is Important

Potential Long Term Impact

After participating in a workshop, women are able to find the inner strength and courage to re-build their lives - for themselves and their children. Many become more effective advocates on behalf of themselves and fellow refugees.

Project Message

I have not encountered one participant who claimed that the workshop had no impact on their lives. Many describe the impact it had on their thoughts and reflections.
- Undine Kayser, Student conducting research on workshop outcomes

Who is Running This Project

Contact

Michael Lapsley
Director
PO Box 36069
Glosderry
Cape Town, Western Province 7702
South Africa
+27-21 696-4230/1
Email:

Project Sponsor

Michael Lapsley

Organization

Institute for Healing of Memories Logo

Institute for Healing of Memories
PO Box 36009
Glosderry, South Africa 7702
South Africa
+27-21-6964230
http://www.healingofmemories.co.za

Where this Project is Located

Country

This project is located in South AfricaSouth Africa and can also be found under Women and GirlsWomen and Girls.

For more information about South Africa, read the Human Development Report on South Africa or the Wikipedia entry for South Africa.

When this Project was Updated

Last Updated

This project was last updated on December 2, 2009.

Date Added to GlobalGiving

This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on July 29, 2009

Latest Update from the Field

Healing of Memories

By Jo-Anne Prins - Fundraiser, December 02, 2009 12:54 PM

Healing of memories workshops provide a creative and experiential outlet for refugee women to overcome feelings of anger, hatred, prejudice and guilt.

The two and a ½ days spent together is an opportunity for these women to tell their stories in a caring and respectful atmosphere, to be listened to, and to have painful experiences acknowledged.

Tolerance of individual differences is important amongst this group, particularly as many are faced with prejudices on a daily basis. It is important that our communities learn about each other and in that way be brought together.

Often the fight between refugees and South African citizens is interpreted as being a fight for resources. Throughout the time spent together, everyone felt strongly that a sense of solidarity, togetherness, trust and belonging is what is needed in communities.

Our sincere thank you goes to you for your donations to the healing of memories workshops for refugee women. Your support contributes importantly to the healing process that makes a tremendous difference to these women’s lives.

We welcome your questions &/or feedback regarding any aspect of this project.

Want to support this project's continued work? give now

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