Foundation Play Skills for Bereaved Children

"Play is work for children- never underestimate the power of play to bring about healing" - Violet Oaklander

Recently two members of Ethembeni care worker staff facilitated a week long training workshop on Foundation Play Skills. Attendees consisted of several Ethembeni staff members along with staff members from the local Friends for Life organization.

The training centered around using play therapy interaction to help children affected by death and loss. Staff learned how to plan several different play sessions such as stories and puppets, clay and drawings and coping play. The training was originally developed by Rob Smetherham Bereavement Service for Children (RSBSC).

The training was a great success and all those who participated look forward to implementing their new found play skills therapy soon!

A special thanks to Linda Smallbones, Social Worker for Ethembeni who originally introduced the training workshop last year to a few members of the family center staff last year. Linda is thrilled to see the very same staff who attended the training now successfully facilitating the very same workshop!

The whole group of teachers and students together

Manchester United goes on a Soccer Tournament

Last Saturday our Soccer team participated in a soccer tournament near Edendale, up in the hills near Pietermaritzburg (KZN). Our team is made up of the older kids from the Family Centre and is named after the most famous team in the world, Manchester United. Very ambitious I must say, but you know, you shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you'll still land among the stars!

We arrived early in the morning with 18 of the boys and the three coaches Khlakla, Zwe and me (Richard) and after two hours of warming up and waiting we were up against one of the local teams. After a quick goal for the other team from a penalty, we were fortunate to quickly get the deserved equaliser before half time. The second half could have gone both ways but it was really our quality and better stamina which decided the game in our favour through another goal just before the final whistle. 2 - 1 for us and we were in the semi-final!

Some though love from the coach

The semi-final was awaiting and we played against one of the other local teams which we expected to be a lot stronger than our first opponent. Where we had hot (31 degrees) and sunny weather in the morning, the weather had changed now and it started drizzling.... There were chances for both teams but no goals until half time. After a pep talk from the coaches the boys went for the final push for the final..... The pitch got heavier from the rain and everyone was getting tired. We had some half chances but no goals so the game had to be decided by penalty kicks! Unfortunately we missed the first one but they also missed their third penalty so it was 4-4 after the first five kicks.

It was as the weather gods did not want a winner for the game as thunder broke out exactly at that moment before the sixth penalty was to be taken and the game was rained out. That was also the signal for us to pack up and hide. Even though we all were soaked we made it back to the car and we drove back to Mpophomeni.

The whole day there was a fantastic atmosphere around the field with lots of spectators and great music. All together a great day on the field which we spent together playing, bonding, chatting and dancing! And many thanks to the Family Centre for the sandwiches and snacks!