Are you a hyena or a goat?

Learning is a process. Amongst many others, a particular activity that supports this notion took place at the Molima Family Home in Dedza and involved the whole team. We visited the orphanage to deliver information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as an anti-bullying session. As the children were at school in the morning, we were put to work by painting of one of the beautifully designed buildings at the orphanage before delivering our sessions. It was an event I could not afford to miss putting into writing, as many volunteers had not painted an entire room before! Just painting allowed the team to acquire new skills, albeit relatively simple ones like preparing a room, planning and reaching those awkward edges!

Pelani and Chrispin painting at Molima Family Home

Once the children had arrived back from school we went through some warm up exercises called ‘energisers’. We described the ‘Goat and Hyena’ game as follows: all the children stand in a circle holding hands, one child, ‘the goat’ is in the middle and another, ‘the hyena’ is outside the circle. The hyena then tries to catch the goat, by breaking through the circle! Those in the circle must try to close the gaps, working as a team to prevent the hyena from breaking through and reaching the goat. The game illustrated that we should always ensure our peers are safe whatever different situations they might be facing. We should always try to protect the goat!

Anti-bullying session at girls education session

Anti-bullying at girls education session

This preceeded our anti-bullying performance where Gus and Louisa demonstrated a situation involving a game of football. I acted as the person trying to join them but they would not let me and this made my character angry! I later met Gus alone and ‘bullied’ him. In a separate demonstration, it was years ahead and my character had grown up. My boss was trying to tell me that I was not working hard enough and I responded by shouting at her. We did these demonstrations to show the students the effects that bullying can have in both the short and long term; that the effects of bullying can stay with a person forever and bullies may not realise the true impact of their actions. The students enjoyed the energiser and the play helped amplify the anti-bullying message.

Team bonding, like learning, is a process and the day after we visited Molima we decided to do a team bonding activity. Touring local sights in Dedza is certainly one way of appreciating nature so as a team we decided to climb the mountain, a stone’s throw from our office. Seeing beautiful rocks, trees, attractive paths and stunning views over Dedza as we climbed the mountain was an amazing experience. In addition to working as a team, we also developed as individuals, particularly those with personal challenges which they were able to overcome.

The team walk to Dedza mountain

Having done the two activities, our week was also packed with project trips. The aim of these trips was to establish target groups, stakeholders and beneficiaries of the ICS and CYECE projects so that we could plan activities in the coming months. International Service team members will be working with CYECE staff to conduct baseline surveys in the coming weeks. This data can be used to identify cultural practices affecting girls’ education, such as early marriages and teenage pregnancies. It can also identify children’s knowledge and understanding of key areas such as contraception, HIV/Aids and how to access support. As we travelled to each destination, we used the ‘Khwekhwelere Road’ which was one of the most terrifying journeys of my life! The road has a lot of steep sharp bends and blind corners, however we made it safely to all of our destinations and the views of the district as we ascended and descended the mountain were incredible. The project trips, scary but beautiful journeys and team work proved that we are working well as a team.

Pelani and Gus visiting schools in Bembeke prior to baseline surveys

As time on our placement in Dedza goes by we are getting to know each other more and more and this week in particular has taught us the benefits of working together as a team. We all protect the goats from the many hyenas we will face on our journey!

Team 'Dusty Dedza'

Written by Pelani Msiska