Project News

30th and 31st January 2018

The Project conducted a Peer Counsellor training targeting 10 leaders with disabilities from Collins Chabane municipality, Vhembe district, Limpopo province. The training was facilitated by a peer counsellor, Mr. July Mathebula (wheelchair user) whose capacity was developed by the JICA Partnership Programme, "Capacity Building of Independent Living Centres through Creating Accessible Environment".

The training in Okinawa, Japan was conducted in December last year, and participants from Limpopo province developed the action plan to expand Self-Help Group (SHG) of persons with disabilities to other 18 villages and organise peer counseling in each village. The Peer Counsellor training was organised in order for leaders with disabilities in Limpopo to be able to facilitate peer counselling by themselves.

On 30th January, the training was held in Malamulele, and since most of the participants have participated in peer counseling before, it was conducted in dialogue form that the facilitator asked questions about its significance and contents, and participants answered with their own expression. In addition, participants did actual practice how to facilitate peer counselling.

On 31st January, the participants of the training visited the Makuleke village to conduct peer counselling for persons with disabilities in the village. Mr Victor, a person with disability in Makuleke village said "I'm very much encouraged by the peer counselling. I would like to share today's learnings to other persons with disabilities in the village." Mr Ronald who facilitated peer counselling said "I gained confidence to conduct peer counseling even in other villages."

Peer Counsellor Training

Peer Counselling in Makuleke village