Psychosocial and Mental Health Organisation (Phola) provided a psychosocial and mental health support intervention at Zandspruit Primary School.
They embarked on a transformative journey impacting 550 learners across 14 classes of Grades 4 and 5 using Tree of Life and O.U.T.T.R.A.G.E.D methodologies.
O.U.T.T.R.A.G.E.D methodology stands for:
O- Our hopes, commitment and values in tackling violence and Gender Based Violence
U- understanding our gender identity as men and boys
T- tracing the history of GBV in our communities
T- testimonies of GBV (sharing testimonies of GBV)
R- exposing its tricks and tactics
A- acknowledging the knowledge and skills that we have to tackle GBV in our communities
G – growing your safety nets and support systems
E -envision the future and rebuilding the village
D- developing plans for action.
The organisation introduced a trauma-informed framework to empower learners, encouraging confidence, connectivity, and self-esteem.
Media and communications officer Carren Liando explained that through a comprehensive seven-session intervention, students are guided through Tree of Life Methodology which is a narrative-based approach.
“Narrative therapy is a form of counselling that views people as separate from their problems and destructive behaviours. This allows learners to get some distance from the difficulty they face; this helps them to see how it might be helping or protecting them, more than it is hurting them.”
“We had a second group for O.U.T.T.R.A.G.E.D programme, 24 students graduated. This programme has helped transforming the school into a safer environment as boys have already changed their attitudes and began championing in the school with support from Phola and learners support committee.”
She added that most of these boys use to operate in gangs and distract all the school activities and bully other learners. They use to carry weapons, fight each other as they belonged to five different gang groups within one school.
“Now they belong in one group which is O.U.T.T.R.A.G.E.D and they work together as they have gained confidence at trusting and working together at stopping bad habits in their school. We run programmes for men and boys in different schools. This program helps men and boys to prevent Gender Based Violence specifically.”
She added that a total of 550 students graduated from completing the intervention.
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