Today I spend an inspiring day at Worcester Prison where the Group of Hope (GOH) had their opening ceremony, celebrating a woman's day event. If you know a bit about our history with GOH you will know that it was the group we initially started with in beginning of 2008 as we brought THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL to Brandvlei Maximum Prison. GOH focuses on skills development programmes which is an essential ingredient in activating A CIRCLE OF CHANGE. I feel very privileged to be adding THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL, another essential ingredient, as well as the Responsibility Coach Education to the process in Worcester Prison.
It was remarkable to see the SmilingOne Responsibility Coaches, whom we have worked with the past 2.5 years in Brandvlei, leading the newly started GOH in Worcester, all shining so brightly.
Worcester Prison has now allocated two members to supervise and assist THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL as part of the GOH activities. We are currently awaiting funding for this project - this will enable me to go on a bi-weekly basis to the prison. Our first task will be to create a members manual and then to roll out the process using the coaches and students (inmates) to facilitate the process to fellow inmates. The process is essential in building GOH as it serves as a wonderful empowerment tool.
Update will follow shortly...
Re-Integration
Chris was released October 2009 after 10 years in prison. With him we took THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL to his community in Gugulethu. Chris is also in coach training. He is today in job with DreamWorkers (friends of the SmilingOne Family), he assists facilitation of the Youth Programme we run in Nyanga, he coaches a family in Kayelitsha and lives each day from his heart - truly walking change!
Thabo was released in April 2010 after more than 10 years in prison. Thabo assists both the community and SmilingOne tremendously in Nyanga. He connected us with the Nyanga Arts Development Programme where we today are running Youth Programmes hand in hand with the centre - in a circle of change. Thabo is committed to himself and change AND is a GREAT inspiration to those around him!
Farouk was released in May 2010 after 3 years in prison. He is in coach training and has such a passion for community and youth development. Each day he walks the journey by his heart - deepening himself. I don't think I have ever met someone as grateful as him. He gives thanks to all around him and expresses openly and freely. He has taken the lead on our Youth Programme in Nyanga and is growing amazingly with the programme.
Vaughan was released in May 2010 after 15 years in prison (on/off) and is doing his community service with us at SmilingOne - every Saturday attending and assisting the Youth Programme in Nyanga. It is such a privilege to have Vaughan join us. He is rather new in the programme - embracing it with all of him and I come to see how valuable it is to have these support groups in place. The journey is not an easy one - however - when we walk it hand in hand we are SO much stronger!!!
Thabo was released in April 2010 after more than 10 years in prison. Thabo assists both the community and SmilingOne tremendously in Nyanga. He connected us with the Nyanga Arts Development Programme where we today are running Youth Programmes hand in hand with the centre - in a circle of change. Thabo is committed to himself and change AND is a GREAT inspiration to those around him!
Farouk was released in May 2010 after 3 years in prison. He is in coach training and has such a passion for community and youth development. Each day he walks the journey by his heart - deepening himself. I don't think I have ever met someone as grateful as him. He gives thanks to all around him and expresses openly and freely. He has taken the lead on our Youth Programme in Nyanga and is growing amazingly with the programme.
Vaughan was released in May 2010 after 15 years in prison (on/off) and is doing his community service with us at SmilingOne - every Saturday attending and assisting the Youth Programme in Nyanga. It is such a privilege to have Vaughan join us. He is rather new in the programme - embracing it with all of him and I come to see how valuable it is to have these support groups in place. The journey is not an easy one - however - when we walk it hand in hand we are SO much stronger!!!
Sharing by Sihle Tshabalala
Responsibility Coach Student
B6 Unit
Worcester Male Prison
If you could have asked me about what I have written here three years ago, I wouldn’t have had answers for you; but today I can and it was made possible by the concept of THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL.
With the concept I have learned the beauty of creating me and discovering my being in full flood. I choose because I want to, not because of pleasing and surviving. My heart (how I feel) is the basis or foundation that I operate from. The intellectual pursuit deceived me from seeing, learning, understanding and growing from my challenges – therefore I realized that knowledge alone is not enough. It is imperative that I add/listen to be whole or one with my emotions. In that way I am liberated to be me/who I am.
As I have said, none of this would have made sense three years ago because i would not have known that there is a ‘higher’ way of being, that I am in control, that I have a choice, that I can live mindful and consciously aware of my life, that I am content with myself and accept wholeheartedly, that I am special and unique, that I can change and most importantly that I can inspire others as well.
LOVE, LIGHT and LIFE
Sihle
B6 Unit
Worcester Male Prison
If you could have asked me about what I have written here three years ago, I wouldn’t have had answers for you; but today I can and it was made possible by the concept of THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL.
With the concept I have learned the beauty of creating me and discovering my being in full flood. I choose because I want to, not because of pleasing and surviving. My heart (how I feel) is the basis or foundation that I operate from. The intellectual pursuit deceived me from seeing, learning, understanding and growing from my challenges – therefore I realized that knowledge alone is not enough. It is imperative that I add/listen to be whole or one with my emotions. In that way I am liberated to be me/who I am.
As I have said, none of this would have made sense three years ago because i would not have known that there is a ‘higher’ way of being, that I am in control, that I have a choice, that I can live mindful and consciously aware of my life, that I am content with myself and accept wholeheartedly, that I am special and unique, that I can change and most importantly that I can inspire others as well.
- I look not only around me but deep into my soul.
- I see not only the chaos in life but the orchestra of live.
- I speak not only the languages of tongue but that of my heart.
- I feel not only what I sense but sense what I feel
- I touch not only with my hand but with the fingers of my soul.
- I listen not only to the sound that surrounds me but to the beat that beats from within.
- I hear not only the noise of the world; but the voice of the universe.
LOVE, LIGHT and LIFE
Sihle
Sharing by Andrew Aloni
Responsibility Coach Student
B6 Unit
Worcester Male Prison
Before THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL process I was lost. I did not know where to start from to rebuild my life. I was in a state of confusion, even though I was attending programmes I did not feel any different. It was all in rush for a quick fix – all externally.
Through this process I have come to discover who I am without being told who I am. This is the great thing about this course, it deals right with my inner being. Being told how to live means to live up to someone’s expectations, which is impossible. Self Discovery means to live by my values, willingly, and not doing it for the sake of pleasing the parole board but for the sake of love and personal growth which I am gaining through this process.
I am glad that I will be able to continue with the process right here in Worcester Men’s Prison because the process is one of the greatest inspirations that I have ever witnessed to assist me in the process of detaching from any old behavioural patterns and allowing complete change in my life.
I am enjoying to live my life based on my values instead of the environment I find myself in and the usual pointing of fingers (blaming) which is just another way of denial.
Thank you
Andrew
B6 Unit
Worcester Male Prison
Before THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL process I was lost. I did not know where to start from to rebuild my life. I was in a state of confusion, even though I was attending programmes I did not feel any different. It was all in rush for a quick fix – all externally.
Through this process I have come to discover who I am without being told who I am. This is the great thing about this course, it deals right with my inner being. Being told how to live means to live up to someone’s expectations, which is impossible. Self Discovery means to live by my values, willingly, and not doing it for the sake of pleasing the parole board but for the sake of love and personal growth which I am gaining through this process.
I am glad that I will be able to continue with the process right here in Worcester Men’s Prison because the process is one of the greatest inspirations that I have ever witnessed to assist me in the process of detaching from any old behavioural patterns and allowing complete change in my life.
I am enjoying to live my life based on my values instead of the environment I find myself in and the usual pointing of fingers (blaming) which is just another way of denial.
Thank you
Andrew
Sharing by Luyanda Mboniswa
Responsibility Coach
B6 Unit
Worcester Male Prison
Firstly I think it is fair to say thank you very much to the SmilingOne Team for introducing this wonderful concept of THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL to me and the rest of the guys in prison. And of course I should thank myself for making my life a priority, because through this program I have finally gained my true identity and I embrace it with much love and confidence.
It is almost 2 years and 6 months that I have been part of this process. My life, my journey, has changed a lot to the better of myself and others. To realize that one has values, key roles and a mission in life is one of my great achievements in this process. I came to understand that they are there to be embraced and lived by. I am happy about the true identity of who I am, it makes me understand myself better than before. I am willing to also face challenges that I come across in life and see them as opportunities, assisting me to grow. I appreciate challenges as mentors in my life.
Furthermore being a Responsibility Coach™ - helping and guiding other fellow individuals has also helped me to grow as an individual. What I do, say and think is that of a Responsible Individual – constantly bringing awareness to the fore.
To receive a platform which is being offered by this process is a major mile stone for me, to talk about my past and deal with areas that were a taboo in life is a great achievement in my journey. And in this current place (Worcester Men Prison) there are a lot of emotions which individuals are avoiding to deal with and masks which we are so used to wearing.
THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL process has played a major role in encouraging and availing the platform for us to deal with these aspects in a more positive and mindful way. I am thankful for the process because I have found meaning in my life. I am aware of my re-active patterns and I exercise the powerful tool of CHOICE that I have in life! How I approach life IS a choice and also what I do and how I feel. So I am grateful to be part of this process. What matters the most now is that I embrace myself with love and trust as these are my values that I live by.
In terms of personal development and growth, which I personally am gaining in this programme, is so amazing for others as well. I would appreciate very much to see this process being implemented in all our correctional institutions as it is what we need in our lives!
With much love and gratitude
Luyanda
B6 Unit
Worcester Male Prison
Firstly I think it is fair to say thank you very much to the SmilingOne Team for introducing this wonderful concept of THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL to me and the rest of the guys in prison. And of course I should thank myself for making my life a priority, because through this program I have finally gained my true identity and I embrace it with much love and confidence.
It is almost 2 years and 6 months that I have been part of this process. My life, my journey, has changed a lot to the better of myself and others. To realize that one has values, key roles and a mission in life is one of my great achievements in this process. I came to understand that they are there to be embraced and lived by. I am happy about the true identity of who I am, it makes me understand myself better than before. I am willing to also face challenges that I come across in life and see them as opportunities, assisting me to grow. I appreciate challenges as mentors in my life.
Furthermore being a Responsibility Coach™ - helping and guiding other fellow individuals has also helped me to grow as an individual. What I do, say and think is that of a Responsible Individual – constantly bringing awareness to the fore.
To receive a platform which is being offered by this process is a major mile stone for me, to talk about my past and deal with areas that were a taboo in life is a great achievement in my journey. And in this current place (Worcester Men Prison) there are a lot of emotions which individuals are avoiding to deal with and masks which we are so used to wearing.
THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL process has played a major role in encouraging and availing the platform for us to deal with these aspects in a more positive and mindful way. I am thankful for the process because I have found meaning in my life. I am aware of my re-active patterns and I exercise the powerful tool of CHOICE that I have in life! How I approach life IS a choice and also what I do and how I feel. So I am grateful to be part of this process. What matters the most now is that I embrace myself with love and trust as these are my values that I live by.
In terms of personal development and growth, which I personally am gaining in this programme, is so amazing for others as well. I would appreciate very much to see this process being implemented in all our correctional institutions as it is what we need in our lives!
With much love and gratitude
Luyanda
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