PSR MAGAZINE Editor’s Note - John Brand Dear Friends My experience of Fountain House has been very positive. I was soon embraced with affection by members and staff — very uplifting. This is proof so far, of the combined efforts of Fountain House and Community Care, especially in building up one’s confidence and self- esteem. Recently we celebrated our 26 th anniversary with a combination of talents. More inside... Regarding recreation and entertainment, attending camps at Glen Cairn and the Ottie Joose camp was a mind-blowing experience, never to be forgotten, creating bonds of friendship which I have commemorated in my poems. Thank you for your generosity throughout the years. Regards Editor – John Brand The Editorial Team Our appreciation goes to the Editorial team - John Brand, Lucy-Anne Nomakoko, Bongi Metsamai, Nathan Oliver, André de Kock, Kathy Twomey, Jermaine Husselman, Thabo Fourie, Tyron Jonkers, Paul Cruywagen and Noelene Palmer. Your commitments are highly appreciated. Inside This Issue 1 Editor’s Note 2 Insight to Bipolar Disorder 3 July Mental Health Month 4 Increased Abilities 5 My Dream & CAN Star Performer 6 Kimber House & The Clothing Guild 7-8 Unit Updates 9 Women’s Month 10 International Volunteers 11 Annual Holiday & Afternoon Activities 12 F/H 26 th Birthday & Way of Life 13 CCAB 14 Smart Choice 15 Rainbow Foundation 16 All about Ability VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 Newsletter Date: July 2012 July is Psychiatric Disability Awareness Month Theme for 2012 "Be Kind to Your Mind”
Transcript
PSR MAGAZINE
Editor’s Note - John Brand
Dear Friends
My experience of Fountain House has been very positive. I was soon
embraced with affection by members and staff — very uplifting.
This is proof so far, of the combined efforts of Fountain House and
Community Care, especially in building up one’s confidence and self-
esteem.
Recently we celebrated our 26th anniversary with a combination of
talents. More inside...
Regarding recreation and entertainment, attending camps at Glen
Cairn and the Ottie Joose camp was a mind-blowing experience, never
to be forgotten, creating bonds of friendship which I have
commemorated in my poems.
Thank you for your generosity throughout
the years.
Regards
Editor – John Brand
The Editorial Team
Our appreciation goes to the Editorial team - John Brand, Lucy-Anne
Nomakoko, Bongi Metsamai, Nathan Oliver, André de Kock, Kathy
Twomey, Jermaine Husselman, Thabo Fourie, Tyron Jonkers, Paul
Cruywagen and Noelene Palmer. Your commitments are highly
appreciated.
Inside This Issue
1 Editor’s Note
2 Insight to Bipolar Disorder
3 July Mental Health Month
4 Increased Abilities
5 My Dream &
CAN Star Performer
6 Kimber House &
The Clothing Guild
7-8 Unit Updates
9 Women’s Month
10 International Volunteers
11 Annual Holiday &
Afternoon Activities
12 F/H 26th Birthday
& Way of Life
13 CCAB
14 Smart Choice
15 Rainbow Foundation
16 All about Ability
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1
Newsletter Date: July 2012
July is Psychiatric Disability Awareness Month
Theme for 2012
"Be Kind to Your Mind”
PAGE 2
Insight into Bipolar Disorder By Christopher McEwen
There are a lot of people that suffer from Bipolar disorder. McManamy* says approximately two to three
percent of the population live with Bipolar disorder (some say it is as high as six percent). It is a very
serious problem. It is an extremely complicated disorder possibly because the human psyche is so
complicated. This short article will argue that helping people gain insight into their disorder is critical.
Insight cannot be separated from being compliant with medication.
McManamy says: “Officially, bipolar disorder is an episodic mood disorder characterized by extreme shifts
in mood, from depressive lows to manic highs. Unofficially, I would describe it as a cycling illness. It's as if
our brains are in perpetual motion. Thus, we are constantly anticipating the next phase in the cycle - or
cycles, if you like. ”
Another theorist says: “Bipolar mood disorder is one of a group of mood disorders that include manic
episodes, depressed episodes, and mixed episodes. These are the most common of all mental disorders,
mainly because of the prevalence (occurrence rate) of depression.”
It is clear that people that suffer from Bipolar disorder face serious challenges. Depression is very serious.
Furthermore trying to survive financially and physically in a hostile world can be especially difficult for
people with Bipolar disorder. Fortunately places like Fountain House can help. Despite the difficulties,
many people that suffer from Bipolar disorder have been extremely successful.
Insight is critical with regards to helping people with Bipolar disorder. Fink and Kraynak (2005, p 9) say:
“Bipolar disorder is a heartless beast that parties with your life and sticks you with the bill. At its best, it
inspires brilliant insights and uninhibited joy. At its worst, it drapes the mind in debilitating depression,
destroys relationships, empties bank accounts, and fuels suicidal thoughts. Doctors have no test for it and
no cure, and one of the main symptoms of the disorder is that the afflicted often deny they have it and
resist treatment.”
Fountain House encourages people to take their medication. If sufferers of the disorder willingly take
their medication, this makes clear that they have insight into their disorder. It requires courage to say
“something is wrong with me and I need help.”
Despite the importance of insight there is still a lot about the disorder that is not known. However, it is
known that it can be treated. In conclusion this short piece has shown the critical importance of insight
and how it is linked to being compliant with regards to taking medication. With the help of doctors,
medication and places like Fountain House, Bipolar disorder can be treated.
As an afterthought this article wishes to stress that insight is required not just from those that suffer from
the disorder. It is vitally important that the wider community is educated as well. This means that if a
Bipolar sufferer has a manic episode (on campus or in the workplace, for example) he or she will be
treated in the best possible way. Stigma will also be reduced if the wider community has insight.
‘Every achiever that I have ever met says, “My life turned around when
I began to believe in me”.’ Dr Robert Schuller
*McManamy is a medical journalist; see www.mcmanweb.com.
PAGE 3
It is often said that the youth of today is the future, but due to
the fact that mental illness is a serious problem and rapidly on
the increase amongst young people — not only in South Africa
but also on a global scale — that very future is under threat.
Cape Mental Health has implemented a ground -breaking
mental health promotion schools’ programme in high schools
in the Western Cape.
The programme, called MindMatters, aims to promote mental
health and to prevent and reduce the onset of mental illness.
Young people are under tremendous pressure in their daily
lives.
Elroy Solomons, the Mind-Matters programme coordinator
says: “The learners have learned to cope better with stressful
situations and can now manage their lives more effectively.”
He also says that, “there had also been a sharp decrease in
teenage pregnancies, abuse and violence at the schools.”
During July which is nationally recognised as Psychiatric
Disability Awareness Month, Cape Mental Health, a member
of the South African Federation for Mental Health, will focus
on “Youth and Mental Health”, and we are calling on all
parents, educators and learners to work toward the
prevention of mental illness and the promotion of mental
health. In South Africa there are many factors which could
hinder the mental and physical well-being of individuals,
especially as we are confronted with many challenges on a
daily basis.
Unemployment, substandard education, poor living
conditions, low morale, substance misuse, risky sexual
behaviour, bullying, violence, inadequate access to health
care, and the high numbers of TIK addicts in the Western Cape
are but a few examples of the challenges that could impact on
young people’s mental well-being.
The high number of young people using TIK and the
subsequent drug-induced psychosis has resulted in beds in
psychiatric facilities being occupied by TIK users causing a
shortage of beds for the rest of the mental health service
users.
As a nation, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the
young people of this country are effectively equipped to deal
with the pressures of daily living. Firstly, we need to ensure
that adequate mental health support structures are in place
and equipped to provide high-quality care and support.
Secondly, young people themselves must be aware of
mental health issues, feel confident to address them, know
of support options available to them and their families, and
recognise that having a mental illness can be managed
through effective health care and support.
Lucille, a young woman diagnosed with Bipolar Mood
Disorder said: “It was difficult to accept my condition at
first; however I persevered and attend occupational
therapy classes at Valkenberg Hospital, Day Hospital
appointments and Fountain House – a clubhouse using a
psycho-social rehabilitation model focusing on recovery.
“Accepting my diagnosis was half the battle won – now 1
year and 6 months later I am stable, coping and enjoying
my work at CNA as a book and magazine specialist. Thanks
to Fountain House for supporting me on my journey of
recovery. If it was possible for me then it is possible for
others as well.”
Sadly, stigma relating to the mental illness and
discrimination against persons with mental illness provide
ongoing challenges that prevent people from getting the
help and support they need.
In its report on the South African Youth Context, the
National Youth Development Agency includes a distressing
section on the prevalence of suicide. Key points include the
following:
• Global trends suggest that suicide is increasingly
being reported amongst younger people (World
Health Organisation, 2002).
• Suicidal behaviour is a major health concern in
both developed and developing countries around
the world.
• Many more people, especially the young and
middle-aged, attempt suicide.
• A number of explanations for the rise in the
suicide trend has been postulated, including:
o Loss of social cohesion
o Breakdown of traditional family structure
o Growing economic instability
o Unemployment
o Rising prevalence of depressive disorders
o School-related pressures
Contact: 021 447 9040 for more information.
JULY, MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
MENTAL HEALTH OF SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH UNDER THREAT
PAGE 4
Increased Abilities by Minah Banda The death of my mother and cousin in 1985 was the onset of my severe
depression for which I was hospitilised in 1990. At the time my three sons
were 11, 7, and 3 years old. After being hospitalised I became a member
of Fountain House and I remember vividly how my life started to have
meaning.
Soon after my recovery I became independent, but still separated from my
boys though I managed to see them on weekends and special occasions.
At that time it was very hard, I managed to pull through with much help
possible.
My journey to recovery did not end there — it only started. I went on a Foschini Transitional Programme
and worked as a dispatch clerk. I soon developed the necessary skills to climb the ladder to success. After
Foschini, I landed a job at Mutual as a sales assistant and became a permanent worker.
In 1998 Fountain House gave me the opportunity to attend a workshop for woman with disability in
Zimbabwe for one week. The workshop was on how to make a difference in disadvantaged communities.
After my return I started a community soup kitchen in Observatory for the homeless. Apart from that I
developed a passion for song writing and poems. This new-found passion was soon recognized at
Fountain House and soon my writings found their way into the Fountain House newsletter.
I worked for a designer who also trained me in the art of beading. Now I am at Community Creation as a
table-hand embellishing textiles with beads. With all my artwork Fountain House was able to give me and
other artists the opportunity to exhibit our products on an annual basis. I am then able to sell and buy
products for new designs. I facilitate workshops on how to start your own business. What took me years
to gain, I am now able to share with people the quicker way in which to get there. Through Fountain
House I am able to train learners with special needs at St George’s Grammar School on how to make
bracelets and paper machѐ.
My business is registered through DWDE and they still support me in many ways to improve the designs of
my products. My objectives are to train and employ the unemployed people with various disabilities so
they can become self-reliant and able to start their own businesses.
Today I believe in myself and I am positive because of the support I have
got through the years. Sometimes we fail to help ourselves, because we do
not know who we are and what we are capable of. Keep on dreaming;
success lies at your feet and when you find it, embrace it. It’s yours…
PAGE 5
MY DREAM - By Grizelle Cupido
My day at the Career Fair and Expo for persons with disabilities at
Artscape on 16 June can only be described as a last resort for me. I went
there with great expectations and I had the chance to link up with business
partners. I handed in my CV and got called the following week for an
interview. I was told during my interview that they were impressed with
my personality. For that reason I was accepted as a candidate for the
Metropolitan Learnership.
20 Candidates were selected and only 10 were chosen from the shortlist
and luckily I was one of them. I met my future employer and facilitator at
this event; I spoke to Sonja Africa who immediately gave me an interview
for the Metropolitan Learnership. One of the guest speakers was Alex Henry.
Besides the Metropolitan Learnership they also presented Media 24, Petrol SA and the SETAs.
Potential Employers were empowered with ideas to better the lives of persons with disabilities in the
work place. One of the speakers of DWDE, the host of the event, encouraged us to be more active in
making ourselves more visible to the world. The slogan for the day was: “Don’t dis my ability.”
My journey with them started as you read this article. My advice to everyone with a disability is: don’t let
moments or events like this pass you by. Grab every opportunity which is provided to you with both
hands, because you never know whom you end up meeting and what you will be gaining in future.
Thank you, Fountain House, for your support and guidance.
You groomed us to become extraordinary ambassadors.
CNA- Star Performer
By Lucille
My name is Lucille. I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in the
year 2009 at Valkenberg hospital. It was difficult to accept at
first. I attended OT classes at Valkenberg after being discharged.
I attended a clinic at Lotus River, and was then transferred to
Groote Schuur Hospital.
I joined Fountain House and assisted in the Admin unit doing different tasks. I really enjoyed the kite
project for the Kite Festival 2010 and attended an Office Management course in 2010 at the Community
Chest.
I saw adverts in the employment unit for various vacancies advertised by Edcon. I grabbed the
opportunity with both hands and applied. I went for interviews and had an assessment exam. My result
was excellent; a week later I received a call to say that I had got that position. It is now 1 year and 6
months later; I am stable, coping and enjoying my work as a book and magazine specialist.
Thank you, Fountain House, for all the help and assistance and everyone who
cared along the way. I also thank God for His strength and guidance. God bless.
PAGE 6
CREATIVE VIBES AT KIMBER HOUSE - By Kathy Twomey
Minah works away to the sound of the TV, making gift boxes and
vases out of recycled coke bottles. There is a vast array of them in
different colours made to order and are available at Montebello and
Kimber House. She also makes beaded jewellery and crocheted
jewellery and ethnic broaches. She specializes in embellishing
textiles with beads for bags, scatter cushions, tablecloths and
scarves.
Kathy has spent many an evening working at the desk in the laundry
to complete an embroidery tablecloth and heirloom, which she is
going to keep in her family. It took her 10 years to complete and
marks the time when her parents were still alive in Napier
(Overberg) and when they lived on Oshana and then later at Caim
Cottage in Napier.
Karin has spread-eagled her wares in the lounge, while industriously
working on her jewellery designs – necklaces and unique earrings,
available from her at R20.00 apiece. She also has been busy
crocheting soap gloves for an order from a Newlands hotel.
Amanda goes to the Sunshade group at Jubilee Community Church
and does craftwork. She has also made bracelets out of safety pins
and beads with a spring coil with Minah.
In her spare time, Maria does crochet work and is working on a
blanket. She has offered to market Minah and Karin’s products at
Pick n Pay. Maria is an expert at fundraising and sells raffle tickets
with flair. She also volunteers to raise funds for Cansa SA selling
bandanas at Pick ’n Pay.
The Clothing Guild These clothing items are always welcome when members are faced with our
freezing winter weather. Below are some remarks and feedback from
members.
Daniel Kyle: “I’m still wearing the jeans I got last year. I found myself a smart
jacket for church this time around.”
Tyron, the newest addition: “Is this really for free and it’s my size, wow! This is
great stuff!”
Jaques Murial: “My grant does not cover my cost of living and free clothing items
are always appreciated.”
Thank you, Clothing Guild, you warm our hearts!
PAGE 7
Unit Updates
Admin
A new volunteer, Nashreen, has joined the admin unit. New
members are: Thabo Fourie, Tyron Jonker and Luther Sedras.
Lorna and Grant (elected as members of the CCAB committee)
ensured that a letter went out to Woodstock clinic regarding
delays in medication and poor service delivery. Nashreen takes us
through training on taking of minutes.
At our birthday bash held on 31 May 2012 some of members
showed their talent, like Tyronne who won a prize for dancing,
Ridaar who won a prize for Karaoke, and Nawaal who won best
prize for her poem. All of the above-mentioned are admin unit
members.
Catering We have some old members back on our programme.
4 members are in Boston College doing Learnerships. 1 member
going to TEP started on 1 June. 2 members joined the Cydisa
project. Our afternoon activities have included: a Bart Simpson
dance, music, games, baking, chess, and Xhosa classes.
The annual holiday was successful – the venue, attendance,
meals, activities, transport were fantastic. Members look forward
to their 2013 camp.
Our calendar of events was well-supported with an average of 30-
35 members. On 31 May we celebrated Fountain House’s
birthday. The Karaoke, poems and dance were mind-blowing. The
judges had a tough time in chosing the winner; in the end their
decisions were final. Seven idols walked away with a prize.
Employment We had an IPDM event on 2 July and the AGM on 14 June and the
DWDE Career Fair on 16 June.
Hazel Cox has left, so Admin and Employment are now one unit.
Three members applied for CDISA after the talk on 6 June.
Computer classes are well-attended and going well. Everyone is
learning plenty and having fun.
July is Psychiatric awareness month: the theme is Be Kind To Your
Mind – we hope you are!
PAGE 8
Unit Updates
Workshop
We enjoyed a Mother’s Day programme in May. One member started on
TEP. Roshan had her first regional meeting. Mphati and Nathan joined the
Communications unit. The volunteer Vanessa received a Certificate of
Appreciation on 22 May. On 18 May Simon, Freddy, Mpathi, Matthew
and Andile were nominated for the CCAB Exco Workshop. Colleague Nox
moved to the Rainbow Foundation for two months. The unit sold paper
products and brought in sales of R492.50 for the month.
At the Fountain House party there were 13 members in attendance. Our
next teambuilding is upcoming and we look forward to creating a new
product. On 16 June four of our members attended the DWDE career fair
at the Artscape. This will give them greater career opportunities and exposure to other job fields. We have
only 1 facilitator to manage one group but thankfully we have a great workshop team. We work well
together. Thanks guys!
Communication
We wish our nineteen Boston Students well throughout their year-long studies. The essence of their
success was commitment, courage, faith, motivation and a whole lot of strength. Ten students were part
of the editorial team. We took a plunge in our numbers.
We recruited a new editorial team and they are a smart group. We extend a warm welcome to you all.
They have been working around the clock to keep you informed. Noeleen updated our notice board with
objectives and goals. With John Brand as our editor, he will make some lemonade out of lemons. The rest
of the team multi-tasks. Karola, our volunteer went to one of our PSR groups and took some pictures.
It will be published in the PSR Magazine. It might be YOU!!
St Valentine’s Day – ‘Love is in the Air!’
Love was in the air, you could definitely feel it at Fountain House. As one got to Fountain House or on the
way you could see people in the spirit of things wearing their red and white. On 14 February Fountain
House celebrates St Valentine’s Day - from the kitchen you can see and smell it. As one gets to the
morning meeting one sees red-and white everywhere. One person reads a poem and sings; another is at
the computer writing one. Its 11:30 - competition time.
All the units compete in singing or reading poems. Some sing, some read poems, some even serenade one
another. After all is said and done, Shafik Govender wins with his song. Redah comes in second with a
poem. And Laura comes third with serenading her loved one.
Quite an affair I must say. Being my first Valentine’s Day at Fountain House I was impressed by the
participation! Afterward the workshop handed out cards and the Catering unit had prepared a great fruity
tea and cake and was on hand with some biscuits. Who would have expected so much on this day? A
God-given day!!!
By Paul Cruywagen
PAGE 9
AUGUST IS WOMEN’S MONTH AND THE SPOTLIGHT FALLS ON
BIRGIT SCHWEIZER – a woman with vision and courage
By Noeleen Palmer
Birgit Schweizer joined CMHS in October 1992 and worked as a fundraiser for 5 years. She realised she
needed to make adjustments for the future in terms of working - and she joined the Special Education and
Care Centres programme for 10 years.
Birgit is the co founder of SAGE Net (SA-German Network); she was instrumental in starting SAGE Net in
1997 with friends of hers in Germany. SAGE Net is a ‘sending organisation’ appointed by the German
government – one of the programmes is Weltwaerts. SAGE Net operates under the auspices of CMHS and
is managed by Lena Sabapathee. The German Government sends 3000 volunteers annually, worldwide.
Birgit’s commitment does not end there. She is the manager of the Strategic Unit - which deals with
Advocacy and Marketing at CMHS. Birgit’s attitude is upbeat and she believes “you can be creative and
make a difference in the lives of others wherever you are and whatever your circumstances.”Currently
she and her team are planning the new Weltwaerts intake and farewell to current volunteers. “This can be
quite challenging. For example, we currently have an overlap of 8 days so I need to make plans to
accommodate the new volunteers. A highlight is seeing how the foreign volunteers transform and mature
during the year; they are often away from home for the first time.” She has been managing volunteers for
5 years.
“This year we will be doing the Kite Festival differently. Currently we plan to invite 3 colleges to assist. We
will also be dividing the Sunday into three sessions to make it easier.
“We are currently organizing a professional exchange with another German organisation. They send
professionals (usually social workers) here for a week and the following year we send partners there.
There are 8 professionals at a time. The programme theme is “Youth, Health and Inclusion – Common
topics for different societies” and has been going since 1999. “
Dynamite comes in small packages. Birgit is respected amongst all her collegues, friends and volunteers.
“Volunteers are the salt of Mother Earth.”
Farewell to Hazel Cox & Jenna-Lee Boer
We said our farewells to Hazel Cox, Manager of the Employment Unit, and Jenna-Lee Boer, a PSR worker on the same
day. The atmosphere was intense as members expresses their heartfelt gratitude and bid them success m their
futures.
Staff farewell at Caprino’s
at the Liberty Promenade
in Mitchells Plain
PAGE 10
International Volunteers
Karola Schults – Bochum, Germany
My name is Karola Schulte and I am 23. I come from Bochum,
Germany – our famous foods are Wurst and Sauerkraut. I have my
A levels and I am currently studying social work. My interests include
jogging, fitness, reading, watching TV and meeting up with friends. I
have 3 younger brothers. My family is pleased with my progress.
I am assisting in the Admin unit, helping with the thriftshop as well as
assisting with and participating in the annual holiday. New experiences in South Africa: It is interesting to
see how rehabilitation works at Fountain House. I have enjoyed meeting new people and learning new
cultures. It is also interesting to see how people cope with different disabilities. I would like to take back
some South African personality traits back with me, for example, to be more respectful and open-hearted.
Vanessa Geisel –
Baden-Baden, Germany My name is Vanessa Geisel. I am 24 years old and I’m from
Baden -Baden which is in the southern part of Germany. After I
had finished my qualification as an Occupational Therapist,
I joined the “weltwaerts” programme, working as a Volunteer in
South Africa. My first 6 months at Fountain House I spent in the
Catering Unit; now I’m working in the Workshop Unit.
With a positive attitude I try to contribute from my own experience to the life-skills of people living with
mental illness in the area of how the illness has impacted on their attitude to life. I inject into their
thinking how to be positive in aggravating circumstances, in particular at Kimber House, a community
group home for people with psychiatric disorders.
Besides that during my free time I like meeting friends, attending Rock festivals, reading books. I also
really enjoy hiking and travelling and I luckily already have had the chance to do some of it here in South
Africa!
Meike Ramacher – Hamburg, Germany Molweni ninjani! To introduce myself: My name is Meike, I am 20
years old and my actual nationality is German, although since I’ve
been in Cape Town I have fallen in love with this place so I should
think about becoming a real South African anyhow, without getting
married ☺!
I have been working at Cape Mental Health at Fountain House just
for 2 months - this is a new and exciting experience because I’m
getting to know the Psychosocial Rehabilitation model of another country. So far I’m
already really glad to be part of this programme even for a little while, working with
inspiring and interesting members and staff!
PAGE 11
ANNUAL HOLIDAY - Stellenbosch
By Kathy Twomy
Fountain House and Rainbow Foundation boarded the luxury buses at 10:30
from Fountain House, Observatory to Okkie Jooste, Stellenbosch. Everybody
worked wonderfully together to get all the luggage on board. Each person
was handed two hotdogs and a cooldrink. Close to 90 people went along on
this camp.
We arrived at a wonderful venue with green pastures called Okkie Jooste
Camp in Jonkershoek, surrounded by mountains and a river on the one side.
The venue was spacious and the dorms housed 6 – 8 bunks in each dorm.
A big grassy space for games and a large pool invited us in. It also had a big
hall and spacious kitchen. We found a place to put our bedding and
belongings. The staff sorted out where they would be.
We were then briefed on rules and regulations: to respect one another,
keep the campsite clean and not wonder off on our own. We were divided
into four groups with names: Bright Stars, Cool Cats, Eagles and All Stars.
We would all take it in turns to prepare meals, breakfast, prepare the tables
for supper and wash up.
Each day had its activities, where we cheered one another on to earning
points. We all had a banner and a song. There was sufficient time in
between activities to rest or swim in the beautiful pool. We had an activity
of charades and also a variety concert and this was great fun.
We had a sports day where we competed in a three-legged race, sticky
apples, bobbing apples, hoola hoops and a ball race, and ending with a tug
of war.
The menu was varied and each group produced a lovely meal. We also had
fruit and juice at tea times. On the final evening, Eagles led with All Stars
next and then the Cool Cats and Bright Stars.
At the prize giving each person got a snack pack and winners won a faceloth
and toothpaste each. We also had Garden Cottage participating with a
beautiful song.
AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
You might ask: What is this all about and how is it managed?
We have 4 units in our daily programme that are managed by unit mangers.
These sessions are structured and pre- planned by managers. For example:
Monday Employment unit offers Jobshop and CV updates
Tuesday Workshop unit gives freedom to Arts and Crafts
Wednesday Admin unit presents Computer session
Thursday Catering unit facilitates Xhosa, Movies or Baking
PAGE 12
FOUNTAIN HOUSE 26TH BIRTHDAY By Kathy Twomy
Fountain House started out as a social club formed by its members in 1986.
Years later it became a vocational programme with the objective of training
and developing members to become successful citizens. Amongst the crowd
were John Brand who started out in the 1990’s and has been a member ever
since. He shared some historic moments with the crowd.
Currently John Brand is the editor of our newsletter and his zeal lifts
members’ spirits. We celebrated his birthday recently and were surprised
with two mouth watering chocolate cakes made by his adorable sister, June.
The party started with a bang. We had a combination of talents and the Idols were all geared up and ready to
battle it out to the bitter end. We had karaoke, the dancers were incredible, and poems and songs added to the
vibe. Some contestants battled it out on the dance floor.
Our judges Thomas, Nashreen and Vanessa, had a difficult time to select the overall winner for the
competition. Eventually Thomas, ‘Itshi bitshispider in Duitse’ won the 1st
prize. Like they say the judges’
decision was final!
Way of Life – My Recovery Journey
Annette Franciscus
I have been fortunate to be a member of the Way of Life support group of Fountain house,
Observatory. It is as a result of this group that I have been able to recover from my last
psychotic episode (losing appetite, respective talking and hyperactivity due to loss of sleep,
and inability to make wise choices, are some of my symptoms).
I had become ill due to having Bipolar mood disorder. I also had a lack of emotional support
from my family which I now understand was due to their fear and feelings of helplessness.
I was also stressed out due to work overload and was experiencing depression and financial
stress as well.
In December 2011, I met Russell, my new boyfriend, at the support group’s end-of-year function. We
would like to give persons with psychiatric disabilities and their families hope. There is always light at the
end of the dark tunnel. But we need to persevere and keep trusting God to help us. Only then are we able
to help others.
Please view my websites www.memoriesofafrica.withtank.com and www.wellness.withtank.com,
(designed by my special support group friend Andrew Phillips ) : or contact me for orders or to make
bookings for workshops or talks at least 2 weeks in advance on cell +27 79 770 4551 or email me:
