Report on the Healing of Memories Weekend Workshop -10 to 12 October 2008

Each year we send 20-30 Educare Practioners on this workshop and it proves to be life-changing for everyone who attends. According to its vision statement, the Institute for the Healing of Memories “seeks to contribute to the healing journey of individuals, communities and nations.” This work is done through workshops, seminars and talks and through developing processes for dealing with negative emotions and leading to reconciliation. This website provides an overview of the Institute’s work.
http://www.healingofmemories.co.za/

This report is written by Mongezi Mngese of the Institute who was the main facilitator on the weekend.
“I trust that the events of the last two months in our beloved country will remain the story of the past. We can only draw lessons from those events, but not to repeat them. I am referring to our political scenario in our landscape. It is difficult to measure our progress in what we are doing when there is so much intolerance amongst the leaders in South Africa. It is clear that we are carrying a lot of baggage from our painful past and the only way we can manage the current situation is to deal with our selves, as individuals.
Having said that, we have to create some spaces for all to share their emotions and feelings. This can only work to our advantage as it will lessen the tensions that are present at the moment. Talking of outstanding issues amongst our leaders, there are structures that are catering for our children and Sikhula Sonke in Khayelitsha is one of them. We are grateful that those women at Sikhula Sonke are given an opportunity to take care of themselves. IHOM create a space for them. Looking after our children, they are confronted by all the challenges that are facing our society. This is what we refer to as a multiple wounded-ness. For those women to give love to our children they themselves need care and we are providing that at least.
These are some of the comments written by the women at the end of the weekend:
• I feel relieved as a result of today‘s celebration. I am lighter than I was when I came on Friday.
• Friday was very tough and painful for me. The story telling was a highlight – knowing that I am not alone was such a relief to me.
• I am now filled with extreme excitement, happiness and love in my heart.
• I am happy and have a power to press on.
• Yes, I was looking forward to this workshop, got excited when it started, but later on I was emotionally touched – the stories moved me so much.
• What a celebration. I enjoyed every moment of it.
• I am different than I was on Friday. This is because I shared my story.
• I was very angry and now am a different person.
• Okay, there is much difference in me. I managed to let off some of my baggage. Other participants assisted me to map my own path and they encouraged me.
• I have shared as much as I can and now feel much lighter
• I know that I was born for success, but lately things were not going that well for me. This workshop had revived me – I know exactly what went wrong and what I have to do to correct that.
• I am feeling better now. When I arrived here I was so stressed, angry, confused and anxious. Now I am feeling relieved and refreshed.
• Many thanks to the organisers for the manner they treated us.
• The workshop was so enriching and fruitful. Our facilitators were amazing.
• The workshop was so great and I wish that these workshops could reach all our teachers and our children’s parents.
• I felt at home, I even managed to share some of my deep issues which I have never shared with anyone.
• The workshop is still transforming my mind... hoping to take a step at a time.
• I am born again. I am happy that I decided to attend this workshop and the devil will be no match to me anymore. Thank you to IHOM we were treated very well.
• The facilitators must go on with the good work.

One of the participants expressed her gratitude that Sikhula Sonke gave them an opportunity to attend and participate in this workshop. She mentioned that the timing this year was even better as most women are about to prepare for the end of the year functions for their preschools. We in IHOM are happy to have these workshops with the mothers of our nation. Many thanks to you, Wendy in particular, and your team, for affording the mamas this space. Bra Daiz! I do not know how you do it but, YOU ARE A STAR. Good Luck!”

Excite ECD Conference Oct 2008

I am very happy to report on a successful 2008 conference. I was feeling quite stressed before and during the conference, because as usual I did not delegate enough of the tasks to others and felt quite overwhelmed –message to self “DELEGATE!” I was also very disappointed by the low turnout from our Khayelitsha community. We did advertise long in advance of the conference, but I hear from Mdebuka that there was another Grade R training session happening in Cape Town, and that some teachers were not able to come as they were needed at their Educares. This poses the question of whether we need to have the next Conference on a weekend or in the school holidays.
I felt that the program was well put together, but quite full and that we did not have enough time for practical exercises and small group work. I also know that the Xhosa speaking delegates struggled with so much English- next year we will have more Xhosa presentations and a translator available.

We were very excited that a group of primary school children were able to join us and act out a play that they wrote themselves on Child Abuse.

The cost of the Conference was approximately R4,500.
I have included some of the comments from the conference, which were very helpful.
• What was the best moment of the conference?
o The DVD Movie
o Learning more things
o The conference was very special to me and I learn a lot
o The DVD shown me how to treat children and at home, I want to tell my community that we must protect children
o I am excited to use the Persona Doll approach with my children
o The story of Ishaan on the movie was very special
o The best session was on Child Protection, and I am excited about the Child Protection Policy
o The conference was very special
o We were encouraged to do our best for educating young children
o The Persona Doll workshop was best
o The movie of the boy with dyslexia
o Everything!
Did the whole Excite conference meet you expectations and was it relevant to your needs?
o Yes, very much so
o Yes, I was given tools to be sensitive towards all people, especially children
o I am going back to my centre full of pride and I am going to make a difference
o Yes, especially the movie
o Yes, it was well presented and understandable
o I would like more practical experience with the Persona Dolls
o The Children’s act session could be improved.
o It made me more aware of children’s’ needs
o Keep us up to date with what is happening in ECD
Do you feel the need for another conference in future? If yes, what suggestions would you give?
o I would suggest the conference be in September because October and November are very busy
o It would be great to have a certificate of attendance
o I would like more info on opening and operating an Educare
o We need more practical sessions and exercises to keep alert and awake
o You must invite parents and community leaders
o Please have an interpreter available on all the sessions
o Please include more videos
o Please have more practical activities