mental health - The Restoration of Human Abilities Association (ROHA)
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The Restoration of Human Abilities Association (ROHA) |
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Registration No.
008-840 NPO - PBO 930019663
WHAT DOES ROHA DO? As its name states ROHA focuses on providing therapeutic services and personal development that will restore the abilities lost through mental illness, disability and neglect. Our programmes are aimed at providing therapeutic services to the sufferers of mental illness, HIV/AIDS patients and their caregivers and creating awareness of mental illness and its management. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES Support Group Programme The programme was designed for psychiatric patients, but is now also used for HIV/AIDS groups. Group sessions varies according to the needs of a particular group and entails alternating discussion groups, art and crafts sessions, life skills training, group counselling, social events, sporting activities and outings.
We encourage participants to use the group as a vehicle for life-changing self-empowerment, instead of as an excuse for a 'pity party'. Limited social relief is offered to group members as required. This may take the form of financial aid, food parcels and clothing. Counselling Our counselling service is open to the general public and is offered free of charge. Counselling is either done face-to-face or telephonically. Style of counselling varies according to the need of the individual client. Sessions may be non-directive or remedial, ie coupled with life skills training if necessary. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Mental Health Awareness Campaigns
Life's Little Lessons – a mental health awareness play The play tells the story of Mike Khosi, who suffers from Schizophrenia, and the effect this has in and on his family and their community life. Mike is persuaded to seek help to manage his illness, regains his social and occupational functioning after treatment at the psychiatric hospital and is re-absorbed into broader society. The purpose of the play is to create awareness about various mental illnesses, plead for the de-stigmatization of the mentally ill and offers a message of hope that mental illness can be managed to allow some sufferers to lead productive and happy lives despite their illness. The play was performed at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown - 25 Jun to 5 July 2008. The play will be travelling to schools in the Eastern Cape early 2009. The play is supplemented with informative workshops for teachers and community members on mental health issues and counselling skills. This is especially relevant in the rural areas where mental health services are limited or nonexistent. To arrange for the play to be performed at your school or community centre, please contact us by fax or email with your request. Since this programme focuses on school goers, it will travel to schools in urban and rural communities in the Eastern Cape during 2008. The play will be complemented by informative workshops for teachers and community members to receive training as lay counsellors and information on various mental illness and a balanced lifestyle to disseminate to scholars.
The play is largely sponsored by The National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund. The play has been filmed on stage in Grahamstown for distribution further afield. The DVD is available at a nominal cost to ensure that the message of the play reaches the broadest possible audience. Please contact us for your copy. Seminars & workshops We host informational seminars and workshops on various subjects. This year the focus is on counselling skills and on types of mental illness, their symptoms, prevention, treatment and management. The seminars & workshops are presented free of charge to teachers, community groups and community health care volunteers.
Internships In order to bridge the gap between theory and practice, we offer internships ranging from 2 weeks to 1 year to tertiary level students. In the past we have hosted psychology, sociology and development studies students. During 2008 we are hosting a group of media studies students from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The students are assisting us with upgrading ROHA's public image ie re-branding ROHA. They are also responsible for editing the DVD of the play to broadcasting standards. We gratefully acknowledge their hard work and commitment to our organisation. COMMUNITY SERVICES Sisters of Mercy The Sisters of Mercy is a special programme administered by ROHA. It provides a support group and counselling service to people, mainly young women, living with HIV/AIDS. This programme is based in Govan Mbeki Location in Port Elizabeth and is run by Mrs Julia Tapi.
A soup kitchen is also administered under this programme, which provides soup for 150 people, including children, the unemployed and the infirm (people living with HIV/AIDS and TB).
Social Relief Services Although no fixed budget exist for Social Relief Services, we do provide financial assistance in the form of food, clothes, electricity cards, etc. to ROHA clients who are in dire need. Aid is provided as our resources allow and at the discretion of the Director. Training Workshops Upon invitation from other NPO's and at a negotiated fee or donation we provide life skills training, such as conflict management and communication skills, and craft training to women, children and youth groups. Learnership Programmes We offer assistance and skills training to community health groups who wish to establish programmes to meet the needs of their communities. During 2008 we are mentoring an HIV/AIDS group from Zwide location, named Ngomso Youth Foundation. This organisation was founded by ROHA Vice Chairman, Lulama Ngqungwana, with the purpose of preventing HIV/AIDS infection amongst teenagers in her community. The group will receive management training and assistance with the documentation necessary to gain registration as an NPO. PAST SUCCESSES Central Support Group, 2000-2007. Dozens of clients who have been affected by debilitating mental illness have been assisted with informational, emotional and financial support. Although the ratio of clients who get well and stay well are relatively small, clients who have stayed with the programme after their recovery have continued to do well in their private and social life. Learnership Programme, 2005-6. Creative Young Women, Port St. Johns. We have provided this HIV/AIDS self-help group with much-needed counselling and group facilitation skills and gardening equipment for their food garden. Mental Illness in the Workplace Seminar, 2002. We provided training for employers, personnel practitioners and recruitment agencies regarding mental illness (its effects and treatment) and the rights and obligations of employees, as well as that of employers with staff living with mental illness.
Hospital Programme, Elizabeth Donkin, 2000-3. We have provided fabric painting workshops to hospitalised psychiatric at the Elizabeth Donkin Hospital during those times when no occupational therapist was available on the staff due to budgetary shortages. We have also assisted with the training of new staff to take over this service from ROHA. Sport for Mental Health Programme, 2002-3. The former Director, Mr Quentin Beningfield, initiated a soft ball programme at a Port Elizabethan school for children with severe disabilities. Seven hundred children benefited from this programme. Children's Programmes, 2005-6. We have provided counselling, life skills training and craft workshops for individual children or groups who were affected by divorce and family violence.
THE ROHA TEAM
WHAT MOTIVATES US? ROHA was founded and is mainly staffed by people who have been affected by mental illness - either by experiencing an illness or by dealing with relatives or friends who suffer from a mental illness. We aim to fill the great need for therapeutic services to the poor and help people with mental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT If you would like to support our work by making a financial contribution, our banking details are as follows:
Account name: ROHA PLEASE NOTE: All donations to our charity are tax deductible for SA donors and companies, because we are registered as a Public Benefit Organisation with the South African Revenue Service.
Official Use Only
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In
addition to newsletters and public talks, we make use of radio
interviews to address mental health issues. ROHA has
launched its biggest mental health awareness to date, the play
titled "Life's Little Lessons". 
Hospital
Programme, Oncology, 2003-7. We presented fabric painting
workshops to hospitalised psychiatric and oncology patients. The
workshops had a positive effect on the recovery of patients and
provides us with a point of departure to offer emotional and
informational support to patients and their families. Between 500
and 2000 patients benefited from this service per annum. The
programme is temporarily suspended to accommodate the mental health
awareness play.
Miss
Adelle Potgieter is a founding member of ROHA and heads the
management team as Chairman. She was nominated for the 2005 & 2006
Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 Women for the
Nobel Peace Prize Campaign.
Mrs Lulama
Ngqungwana serves on management as Vice Chairman. She is
employed in the private sector as a domestic worker and
has lived with a mental disability for many years.
Mrs Miemie
van der Walt serves on management as Treasurer. She was
trained as a Secretary and worked in the private sector
until her retirement.
Mrs
Sandy du Plessis is one of the founding members of ROHA.
She is an experienced lay counsellor and currently
serves as an additional member on Management.
Mr Quentin
Beningfield was a founding member of ROHA. He is
currently working in the health & welfare sector in
England and serves as an additional member on
management.
Mrs Julia
Tapi is an additional member on management and is
responsible for the Sisters of Mercy Programme.
Ms
Adelle Potgieter is Acting Director of ROHA and writer,
director and team manager for the play.
Miss
Denise Bell is a Programme Leader and the Office
Manager. As a former long-term member of a ROHA support
group Miss Bell can testify to the programmes ability to
change one's life.
Miss
Charmaine Potgieter is the Secretary of ROHA. She holds
a secretarial diploma.
This Project is funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
