I Have To Go

Yes I know
I know it has been nice,
I understand
But I have to go

I hear screaming out there
Crying for my help
Seeking for my help
Seeking for my love, care, and comfort
They are out there seeking for my help

Please let me do it, because I can
Let me do this because I can
Be there for them including you - “me”

By: Nthabeleng Ramashoi
(participant on Educo Africa course)

Sisonke HIV/Aids Project

The Educo Africa Sisonke Project has two streams: the Eco-Therapy Programme and the Capacity Building Programme

The Project works developmentally with AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), child headed families (CHFs), HIV infected and affected youth, caregivers, counsellors, peer educators, and end of life practitioners (hospice and similar midwives). It also works with staff and NGOs, and community and faith based organisations working in the sector.

The Sisonke Eco-Therapy Programme uses eco-therapy for personal development, healing and empowerment. We provide the opportunity for reflecting on, facing, and transforming attitudes, behaviours and responses to living and dying in the context of AIDS. It addresses psycho-social aspects of the pandemic such as combating stigma and discrimination. It also inspires a sense of value, hope and a holistic practice for living a productive life, and helps prevent further breakdown of family units. This Programme restores the dignity of those on the threshold of dying.

The Programme seeks to empower and increase confidence, facilitate personal and spiritual growth, and provide a renewed sense of purpose to counter the negative emotional effects of living with HIV/AIDS. It also assists participants in discovering their own courage and personal resources, enhancing effective lifestyle management and foundations for a healthy future.
It provides caregivers with the opportunity to reflect, channel the pain they themselves experience, and re-energise so that they are better equipped to render services. It also provides caregivers, end-of-life practitioners, and those who are terminally ill, with an opportunity to personally come to terms with the dying process.

The Sisonke Eco-Therapy Programme does this through 3 types of courses and interventions:

AIDS Orphans, Infected & Affected Young People (6 days, residential)
Caring for Caregivers (5 days, residential)
The Practice of Living and Dying - the Personal Experience (6 days, residential)
Personal healing and development for caregivers, youth workers, counsellors, educators and hospice / end-of-life practitioners

The Sisonke Capacity Building Programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of partnering organisations to increase their overall efficacy and quality of service delivery to people most affected by HIV/AIDS.

This Programme offers Organisational Development, Skills Development and support:

Organisational Development:

Personal Leadership Development Programme (3 – 6 days, residential)
Communication Training Workshop (1 – 2 days)
Organizational Leadership & Team Development Programme (3 – 5 days, residential)
Board Development Workshop (1 day)
Organizational Learning Rhythms Workshop (1 – 2 days)

Skills Development:

Designing and Facilitating Experiential Learning Events - NQF Accredited (6 days, residential)
Monitoring and Evaluation Training Workshops (2 days, 10 months apart )
The Practice of Living & Dying – Training Programme (7 days, residential)