GEORGE NEWS - "If you don't take care of yourself, you cannot help others." This was an important part of the lessons learnt by about 20 of Ithemba Lobomi's community support workers during a course of Lifeline last week.

According to Brenda Tayler of Lifeline Garden Route, the course is a journey to emotional wellness. "It is focused on personal development and knowledge of yourself. In order to help others, you need to be balanced yourself, understand yourself and take care of yourself."

The participants contemplated their own life path, their past experiences and their talents and how these enable them to help others.

Ithemba Lobomi CEO Roro Makubalo-Rayi said that in their dialogue with the community, the support workers have to pass on the message that people have to take responsibility for their own lives and cannot depend on the government or other organisations to bring about change and improvement in their lives. This Lifeline course has equipped them to bring about such understanding.

Ithemba Lobomi is a non-profit-making community development organisation. Contact them on 082 204 0829.


The community supports workers of Ithemba Lobomi who completed the Lifeline course. The facilitators were Carmen Phillips (left), Ena McIntyre (back, centre) and Brenda Tayler.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST