In March 2012 CHATT hosted the Caregivers’ Weekend Retreat at St Raphael’s, Faure. Eighteen women from came from Arisen Women Mitchells
Plain and two women from Hout Bay.
This was a weekend planned to spoil and nurture them - to teach new healing techniques to heal themselves and their clients; to reflect with them on the impact they have on their clients and their clients on them; to embrace the wonderful work they do under difficult circumstances.
We welcomed tired, frustrated and hungry care workers on a hot Friday afternoon at 16.00. While they settled in their rooms, Shireen and l reassessed and changed the programme. The evening session was spent getting to know each other. Each group had to introduce a fellow care giver after they had shared with each other. We also discussed the purpose of the retreat. After this came a Chinese healing exercise led by Monanana.
Very early Saturday morning we were woken by the sounds of owls, birds and the rustling of leaves. After a huge breakfast we started our day with a story. Psalm 139 was read with the emphasis on the uniqueness of each individual. This was followed by hand massage, reflection and then tea.
An impromptu blood pressure session, general health education and counseling followed, managed by Sis Freda. After that a huge lunch.
Ruth Bruintjies arrived with a portable labyrinth which was set up in the conference room. She introduced us to various forms of feet meditation and led each one of us through it. What an experience! A few participants needed counseling afterwards from Sis Freda, Monanana and myself. Ruth also supplied us with handheld labyrinths to take with us.
Felicity Harker's Tai Chi was a good healing technique both physically and emotionally after a tea break. Another short break followed, then dinner, then the evening session started. There were squeals of laughter, music and sharing while we tried to make felt hearts either for ourselves or a loved one. Monanana is hopeless with a needle and thread and terrorised Shireen into helping her. Except for two participants we all enjoyed making our memento’s. Bed-time was very late.
On Sunday morning we woke up to the sound of birds, so quiet and peaceful. We packed up and had a hearty breakfast. Liz joined us for the session of prayers and readings from the Bible led by Sis Freda and Shireen while we all joined in the singing.
Later we did another Capacitar healing exercise. We reflected on the weekend - the most valuable outcome being that people got to know each other.
Farzaneh and Sis Freda's granddaughters joined us for lunch and we left soon afterwards.
This was a weekend planned to spoil and nurture them - to teach new healing techniques to heal themselves and their clients; to reflect with them on the impact they have on their clients and their clients on them; to embrace the wonderful work they do under difficult circumstances.
We welcomed tired, frustrated and hungry care workers on a hot Friday afternoon at 16.00. While they settled in their rooms, Shireen and l reassessed and changed the programme. The evening session was spent getting to know each other. Each group had to introduce a fellow care giver after they had shared with each other. We also discussed the purpose of the retreat. After this came a Chinese healing exercise led by Monanana.
Very early Saturday morning we were woken by the sounds of owls, birds and the rustling of leaves. After a huge breakfast we started our day with a story. Psalm 139 was read with the emphasis on the uniqueness of each individual. This was followed by hand massage, reflection and then tea.
An impromptu blood pressure session, general health education and counseling followed, managed by Sis Freda. After that a huge lunch.
Ruth Bruintjies arrived with a portable labyrinth which was set up in the conference room. She introduced us to various forms of feet meditation and led each one of us through it. What an experience! A few participants needed counseling afterwards from Sis Freda, Monanana and myself. Ruth also supplied us with handheld labyrinths to take with us.
Felicity Harker's Tai Chi was a good healing technique both physically and emotionally after a tea break. Another short break followed, then dinner, then the evening session started. There were squeals of laughter, music and sharing while we tried to make felt hearts either for ourselves or a loved one. Monanana is hopeless with a needle and thread and terrorised Shireen into helping her. Except for two participants we all enjoyed making our memento’s. Bed-time was very late.
On Sunday morning we woke up to the sound of birds, so quiet and peaceful. We packed up and had a hearty breakfast. Liz joined us for the session of prayers and readings from the Bible led by Sis Freda and Shireen while we all joined in the singing.
Later we did another Capacitar healing exercise. We reflected on the weekend - the most valuable outcome being that people got to know each other.
Farzaneh and Sis Freda's granddaughters joined us for lunch and we left soon afterwards.
Throughout the weekend Shireen saw to the running of the programme and was the 'thermometer' for us to gauge the caregivers’ feelings and some mishaps. Monanana has a wealth of knowledge about community and health organisations from Cape to Cairo, and she shared it with all of us. Sis Freda was there with her quiet and solid support.
Thank you, Farzaneh, for transport and support and, Liz, for being on the other end of the phone.
Pearl Molteno
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