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By Thozi Theko
The current highlight of DS South Africa is our recent partnership
with the National
Peace Accord Trust (NPAT). They are currently working
with so called ‘ex-combatants,’ people who were
involved in violence in different townships during the apartheid
years.
“I
was mentally empowered and spiritually uplifted.”
NPAT takes the participants through what they call the Eco-Trail
Therapy Process. After reaping the benefit of healing their
traumas, they are sent to us to do the Dependable Strengths
Job Magnet Process. They are unemployed. Most have been for
a long time. Some are high school drop-outs.
 “I
was fortunate to attend such a wonderful
and mind-opening workshop.”
“I have
gained experience on how to be self-motivated and benefit
a lot from my abilities.”
“The training
has lifted my confidence
and my ability is being increased.”
The Dependable Strengths process continues to prove its effectiveness
over and over again. As a facilitator, I have personally seen
people walk in the first day of the process looking drained
and older than their actual age, and I have watched them light
up once they start remembering and sharing their Good Experiences.
“The
three days workshop has been the greatest thing that has ever
happened to us
in the location [the township]. So I wouldn’t mind to
carry on the next time,
because all who attended surely feel privileged.”
For some, it takes a little bit more time to register in
their minds that there are good things that they have done.
Yet, by the third day, complete transformation has taken place.
Most would look their proper age, if not younger and more
vibrant than the first day they walked in.
“I’ve
got motivation and knowing exactly
where I’m heading from now on.”
“I
did not know about reports,
and that they can be so helpful to us.”
“Please
keep doing the right things
for the youth and the country.”
When we first considered this partnership, we needed to find
out whether the Job Magnet Process would need any changes
to suit these participants. Jennifer Tallack joined one of
the groups in their Eco-Trail Process to observe. Observation
and practice have proved that the Job Magnet Process is perfect
as is.
“It
is good to know that my report can make wonders for me
and it can speak for me when I am looking for a job.”
“I
got the ability to go through life
without overlooking/undermining my dependable strengths.
I got the knowledge of a lifetime.”
“I
learnt a lot of things I didn’t know. My life is moving
on.
I thought I came to an end, but now I know I can go on.”
We have run six courses in 2006, taking 70 participants through
the Job Magnet Process. Many of these are now working or following
up on referrals.
Thozi Theko is the Executive Secretary
for the Dependable
Strengths Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa (Jennifer
Tallack, Executive Director). Thozi, cup in hand, is pictured
above at tea time during a Job Magnet Workshop. Quotations
are from workshop participants. For information on South Africa,
please
click here.
“The
report is my key to success.”
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