RHEENENDAL NEWS - Come December, one will be able to find the young children in the Rheenendal community immersed in a two-week-long holiday camp with a spirited focus on uniting communities through the art of storytelling.
The initiative is the brainchild of the local NGO Stories Unites Us, an organisation that aims to give children a safe space in which to share their stories, and learn from the stories of other children who live in faraway lands and come from varied backgrounds and socio-economic dynamics.
The art of storytelling is a cultural exchange that offers great potential for the building of social cohesion, collective understanding and shared peace.
The organisation and its campaign have received the endorsement and support of Knysna Deputy Mayor Alberto Marbi. "It remains the responsibility of the Knysna Municipality and [its] council to strive to create opportunities and a better life for all people - especially the underprivileged and youth of our town," he said.
"Stories Unites Us enhances that role of the municipality in this regard and is an extension of our responsibilities."
The programme intends to use various mediums such as art, photography and physical movement to build self- esteem among the children. Further it aims to teach them about how living in harmony with our the natural world, the earth and all its inhabitants helps to develop individuality and cultural sensitivity.
Vladia Bajerovska, founder of the Stories Unites Us foundation, telling stories to the children of Rheenendal for the Story Tree holiday programme.
The facilitators are hoping for an increase in gratitude, empathy for others, and a mindful understanding of nature among the 60 children, aged between 6 and 12.
These factors are known to improve well-being, mental health and overall happiness.
This will be the first programme with the children of Rheenendal, and with enough support from the community it certainly won't be the last. At this stage the initiative is relying solely on donations to keep the project steaming ahead.
To learn more or to contact the team directly, head to @storiesunitesus on Instagram, or contact info@vladia.org.
Muriel Petersen, librarian, creating artwork for the Story Tree holiday programme in the Rheenendal library
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
