At the end of our workshops we ask each participant to give feedback on their experience, herewith some comments:
What did you like most about the program?“Om mekaar to leer ken en saam te gesels en lag” (To get to know one another, to talk and laugh together)
“To Interact with the people and hear their view and advise about children” “I like the whole program” “To learn how we can treat our children” “To take good care of my child and teach them good morals” “Dat ons met mekaar kan deel” (That we can share with one another) “Learnt how to listen to my children even if I am tired” “We worked together as parents, communicating with each other” “About learning how to listen to our kids, supporting them and showing them love and care” “Om as ‘n span saam te werk” (To work together as a team) “The communication is the best, the understanding and respect” “That we must not judge each other and we must be honest to our children” “We must show respect, caring and love to each other” “The program helped us to know how to deal with our children” “Hands on approach” “I like the fact that my group was from Malawi and I from SA and we shared our differences” “Geleer van respek vir mekaar” (To learn to respect one anther) |
What is your understanding of trauma
“The trauma is when you have lost your loved one unexpectedly, maybe he was involved in a car accident and died, then you feel traumatised.”
“It is when someone see something very bad happening in front of him.” “Is strong pain deep down in the heart” “It is the aftermath of a very bad experience in one’s life” “It’s when you lose a friend suddenly maybe through an accident at a very young age or when your house burns down.” “Dit is iets wat met jou gebeur het wat jou seer maak en tyd vat om weer oor dit te kom” (It is something that has happened which has hurt you and it takes time for you to overcome it) |
Letter submitted to the Sanlam Award
”The HERO (Heal, Equip, Restore, Optimise strengths) organisation was established by two dedicated professionals in the Trauma Counseling/Therapy field, Athena Richmond and Lynn Stoker. In a short space of time they have galvanised a wonderful team of caring individuals who are making things happen and achieving outstanding results!!”
Track Record
In a little over a year, among other successes they have:
- Spent over 800 hours with traumatised children and their families.
- Enabled 71 children to spend time with their professional play therapist, at an average of 6 sessions per child.
- Broadened their impact on communities through collaboration with other organisations to optimise the use of resources.
- Trained community workers to present a Parenting Course.
- Raised funds to pay for professional trauma intervention and for food and transport for Family Workshops.
- Established the infrastructure to be operationally effective.
- Registered as a Non Profit Organisation.
- Launched the HERO website.
- Their accounts are audited annually.
Amongst others they have received referrals from:
Famsa, Hospice, Thembalisha, St Georges Church, Rheenendal School, Child Welfare, Vineyard Church, Fraaisig School, Sunridge School, Stepping Stones, Knysna High, Knysna Court, Little Elephants, Knysna Primary, Provincial Hospital, Education Department, Dept of Social Development
“This is a group of ‘Unsung HEROs’ who go about their work with passion and caring, and are a shining example of the many outstanding people who make up the greater community of our wonderful KNYSNA!!”
- Spent over 800 hours with traumatised children and their families.
- Enabled 71 children to spend time with their professional play therapist, at an average of 6 sessions per child.
- Broadened their impact on communities through collaboration with other organisations to optimise the use of resources.
- Trained community workers to present a Parenting Course.
- Raised funds to pay for professional trauma intervention and for food and transport for Family Workshops.
- Established the infrastructure to be operationally effective.
- Registered as a Non Profit Organisation.
- Launched the HERO website.
- Their accounts are audited annually.
Amongst others they have received referrals from:
Famsa, Hospice, Thembalisha, St Georges Church, Rheenendal School, Child Welfare, Vineyard Church, Fraaisig School, Sunridge School, Stepping Stones, Knysna High, Knysna Court, Little Elephants, Knysna Primary, Provincial Hospital, Education Department, Dept of Social Development
“This is a group of ‘Unsung HEROs’ who go about their work with passion and caring, and are a shining example of the many outstanding people who make up the greater community of our wonderful KNYSNA!!”
