Teaching people how to put their life back together again is the main purpose of GriefShare.
Helping people find hope, love and joy again after they have lost a loved one is part of the process.
The Christian-based 13-week programme takes people on a journey of how to deal with grief through a series of group meetings with a DVD and a manual at a cost of about R200.
The DVD and manuals guide individuals on the necessary steps to take to deal with the grief and move on with life one day at a time.
According to Heatlie, GriefShare is an international ministry and has been in South Africa for many years.
Starting at the Benoni Central Methodist Church, Heatlie has been part of the programme since 2005.
“My son, Jairus Joshua, died last year in December; I was emotionally withdrawn,” said Michael West.
“My boss was the one who introduced me to GriefShare.”
According to the Western Extension resident, as time went on he recalls starting to open up and being able to face the world again.
Each week got better and he began talking to his friends and family.
“I would advise everybody to go there. It helps you; it opens you up to society,” he said.
Heatlie mentions that society puts pressure on people to get on with their lives, which is not an easy task.
She continues to say that people don’t know how to face tomorrow.
“What keeps me in this is witnessing broken people coming, going through the journey and leaving with hope, joy and encouragement,” said Heatlie.
The programme encourages people to revisit the pain and find a way to heal and gain freedom from the pain and understand where they are.
“GriefShare is very good, more people should go for it,” said Theo Vinnicombe.
“Sitting with people on the same level and being able to share with each other is very comforting.”
The Rynfield resident said the DVD that he received had talks by professionals on how the body is feeling and what is going through your mind.
“The book we are given to read also refers you to bible verses that are helpful,” said Vinnicombe,
“I lost my wife, Margaret, after 51 years of marriage this time last year.”
Some of the churches that are part of the GriefShare programme are the Benoni Central Methodist Church, Northfield Methodist Church, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, NG Kerk Northmead, the Holy Trinity Church Northmead and Church of the Way.
For more information, contact Heatlie on 084 487 8266 or email denise@bcmc.org.za.
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