Schools' Dramatherapy Project

In 2011 we are very excited to announce the commencement of our new School's Dramatherapy Project, working in 5 schools on the Cape Flats and 1 school in the rural Eastern Cape. Our aim in this project is to build resilience in adolescents affected by school based violence. The project will culminate in the creation of a piece of therapeutic theatre which will be performed in each school. Dramatherapists are working together in partnerships with Drama Facilitators to run groups in this project generously funded by the National Lottery.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has conducted comprehensive research into the state of schools in South Africa. Their inquiry into the challenges to learning which children face, highlights specifically school-based violence and the threat of violence at school as the primary interference. (Nel, A,  SAHRC Inquiry into School Based Violence in South Africa: Background Document, 2006)

Within the context of school based violence, which seriously inhibites children’s right to learn and develop, Zakheni is conducting a Schools Dramatherapy Project, where Registered Dramatherapists and Drama Facilitators will work with 80 learners in 5 schools on the Cape Flats and 15 learners in a school in the rural Eastern Cape.

Dramatherapy can offer the possibility of reconnection with the healthy psychosocial development of young people. Through drama processes, children can explore the challenges they face in a safe way, while building resilience. A dramatherapy group creates the opportunity for positive group interaction, and restoring a healthy connection to self and others. This programme has the potential to be an effective antidote to what is otherwise an overwhelmingly challenging environment for children.

Through Zakheni’s Dramatherapy Schools Project, we aim to:

• Offer learners a safe context where they can express some of what they deal with at school
• Support learner’s building resilience by connecting with their healthy, creative sides
• Providing an opportunity to play and therefore meeting some of their developmental needs
• Through the careful selection of facilitators, offering mentorship to learners
• Developing their skills as performers

Once the 6 pieces have been developed, we would like to have a showcase of their work in a theatre. The intention of this is for the broader community and public to witness young learners speaking out around the issues affecting their lives. The showcase would also be an opportunity for the learners to develop their confidence and performance capacity with a larger audience, where they can feel seen and heard. We currently are seeking funding in order for these public performances to take place.