Project Ixopo

Next week, CWBSA is traveling to rural KwaZulu-Natal to begin Project Ixopo, a year-long initiative with Woza Moya, a community based organisation in the Ufafa Valley near Ixopo.  Thanks to the sponsorship of ArtVenture and Imperial Car Rental Europcar, we have finally secured sufficient funding to deepen our relationship with the community after 5 years of partnership. Throughout the year, CWBSA will be sending teams up to Woza Moya throughout the year working with children, youth, and caregivers affected by HIV/AIDS. 

Some of our wonderful initiatives include:

Facilitated by Sipho Mdletshe and I, CWBSA is starting a Youth Theatre Group that will raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other community issues through forum theatre. Participants will perform 3x during the year including a community-wide tour of schools and centres in November.  They will also receive training in Voluntary Counseling and Testing as well as Peer Counseling skills as part of an effort to empower youth to take positive action in the community.

CWBSA's Njabulo HIV/AIDS Residency Programme was initiated in 2005 at Woza Moya. Since then, we have implemented residencies with community organisations throughout Southern Africa. The programme has evolved into a 10-day intervention with vulnerable children and guardians using storytelling, play and drama therapy, and mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) to strengthen and foster loving relationships at home. We are thrilled to be training Woza Moya staff in our intervention methods!

Every year, Clowns Without Borders sends a team of clowns to perform for the 12 primary and secondary schools in the Ufafa valley above Ixopo. Sue Hedden, director at Woza Moya, says that "the children look forward to 2 things each year: Christmas and the clowns." We would hate to disappoint them!

Woza Moya and the children of Ufafa have always been an important part of CWBSA's mission to provide emotional relief and laughter to areas in crisis.  We are very grateful to ArtVenture and Imperial Car Rental for making this project possible. 

It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our affect on in the community where the effects of HIV/AIDS continue to cause much suffering and hardship.  It is our hope that the seeds we plant this year will continue to flourish spreading laughter and wellbeing throughout the area!