Depression can be particularly debilitating for vulnerable groups like women, youth, and families. The Shibero Psychosocial Health Trust (SPHT) understands this and is dedicated to strengthening, building hope, and fostering resilience in these communities.
Our mission goes beyond simply addressing depression. We believe in the wisdom of the proverb, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”. We equip individuals with the mental and psychological tools they need to cope with challenges and thrive in the long run.
This is achieved through innovative projects that utilize two powerful approaches:
i. Applied Performing Arts Theatre
This dynamic practice extends beyond traditional theater venues and engages with communities, and serves vulnerable or marginalized groups in the community.
This allows participants to explore their feelings, set goals, and solve problems creatively and expressively.
ii Transactional Analysis Group & Dramatherapy Therapy:
Transactional Analysis Group Therapy
This evidence-based clinical model enhances self-awareness, and communication skills, and improves interpersonal relationships. Both approaches empower positive change and personal growth.
By providing these tools, the SPHT empowers individuals to become self-sufficient and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Drama Therapy
Drama therapy is an expressive form of creative therapy that combines drama and psychotherapy techniques. It’s like a stage where emotions take center stage, and you get to play the lead role in your own healing journey.
Through drama and theater methods, including improvisation, role-playing, puppetry, and storytelling, drama therapy provides a unique forum for self-expression, exploration, and problem-solving
Sustainability of Projects
While the transformative power of performing arts therapy is undeniable, ensuring the long-term viability of such programs is crucial. We take a multi-pronged approach to guarantee our projects leave a lasting impact on vulnerable communities by:
Building Capacity from Within:
Trained facilitators: Ensures quality and continuity even with staff changes. This means the program can function effectively long-term without relying solely on specific individuals.
Peer Support and Leaders: Creates an autonomous network within the program. Participants become invested and can lead future sessions, reducing reliance on outside facilitators.
Making the Arts Accessible and Integrated:
Partnerships: Expands resources and reach, making the program more sustainable by reducing the burden of providing everything in-house.
Low-cost materials: Makes the program less dependent on funding for supplies, contributing to long-term financial viability.
Evaluation Drives Progress:
Tracking Success: Data on program effectiveness strengthens grant applications and fundraising efforts, securing resources for future iterations.
Feedback Loop: Allows for continuous improvement, ensuring the program remains relevant and addresses community needs over time.
Securing Funding for the Future:
Diversified Funding: Reduces reliance on any single source, creating a more stable financial foundation.
Shared Investment: Sliding-scale fees help maintain accessibility while generating some income to support the program.
In-kind Donations: Minimizes program expenses, allowing for continued operation with limited financial resources.
Community Focus: Tailoring the program makes it more relevant and likely to be embraced by the community, fostering long-term support.
Collaboration: Sharing resources and expertise with other organizations strengthens the program’s network and reduces the burden on the SPHT alone.
Data-Driven Decisions: Demonstrably positive results make the case for continued funding and program expansion.
In conclusion, these strategies work together to create a program ecosystem that is not solely reliant on external factors but can thrive through internal capacity, community engagement, and a diversified funding approach.
This holistic approach fosters the long-term sustainability of your performing arts therapy programs.
SPHT PROJECTS
1. Youth Project: Pamoja Tunainuka (United We Arise)
Pamoja Tunainuka (United We Arise) empowers underserved youth by equipping them with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges and build a brighter future. Through therapeutic performing arts activities, young people explore their emotions, develop coping skills, and build resilience. The project fosters a supportive community where youth can find hope and strength, arising together (United We Arise).
2. EmpowerHer Women’s Initiatives
2i.The Resilient Bloom
The Resilient Bloom is a comprehensive project dedicated to supporting women who have experienced a wide range of traumas from abuses, including sexual, emotional, verbal, physical, child, coercive, spiritual, and marital abuse. Our initiative focuses on providing women with the tools, resources, and support they need to recognize, address, and overcome these forms of abuse.
2ii Breaking the Silence of Abuse – This initiative challenges harmful cultural practices within communities, that perpetuates female abuse in churches, communities, workplaces, families, schools etc. Educational talks spark conversations and promote a more just and supportive environment for women, children and families in crisis.
2 iii. EmpowerHer: Beat that Stress & Depression Workshops/Group Therapy
Across Africa, out of 100,000,000 million people affected by depression, 66 million are women. Millions of women face depression due to societal challenges and stressful environments fueled by oppressive patriarchal attitudes and beliefs towards women going through divorce. This initiative tackles this critical issue by equipping women with the tools and support they need to get through the process of divorce with less trauma., and hope for a brighter future.
2iv Empowered Sisterhood Youtube Channel- This YouTube channel.
This serves as a lifeline for women facing domestic abuse, particularly those lacking access to local resources. It offers empowering content and guidance, helping women find their voice and build a path toward a brighter future.
3.African Mental Health First Aid. Building Stronger Families, Stronger Communities
This project tackles mental health challenges within African families and communities. By promoting culturally sensitive approaches and fostering open conversations, the project empowers families to support each other and build resilience. It aims to break down stigma and create a network of support for mental well-being across communities.
