ImagoAfrica was formed last year with our Chairman Kola de Klerk and
myself as vice-chair and a committee of 5 members. Our main aim was to
increase the accessibility and availability of Imago concepts to all
South Africans. We were thrilled when our first qualified workshop presenter
Kobus van der Merwe completed his training in Denmark and returned to
start running couples weekend workshops here in South Africa. In January this
year, Jette Simon came out from Denmark to run Clinical training for
10 clinicians (three of whom were spouses and also the first leg of the
workshop presenters training to 15 trainees. So we are delighted that
couples weekend workshops will be presented throughout this year and by year’s
end we will have swelled our ranks of trained clinicians. At present
we have 69 clinicians, some of whom are sadly still working towards their
final accreditation and we need to support and give them a gentle and
when appropriate, not-so-gentle nudge! Kola has been in touch with Hedy
and Yumi and we are delighted that they will be returning next year to
offer some more couples' weekend workshops and further training.
ImagoAfrica also offers membership to those who would like to be associated
with the work of ImagoAfrica at R300 per year. There are several categories
of membership Accredited; Certified; Member in Training, Associate Member
and Friends of Imago. I am actually not too clear at this point if the
membership fee is a flat rate for all members - I could let you know
that at a later stage if you are interested. We are planning many things
throughout the year- a regular newsletter (an official and splendiferous
Imago Africa launch later in the year), mini conferences, and in a few
years an International Imago Conference at some wonderful venue at a
Bush Lodge in the heart of Africa. How does that sound?!
Our committee meets every 2 months and several therapists meet regularly
for supervision and support every 5 weeks.
By all accounts the Cape Town bunch are extremely active and enthusiastic
as are the Natal and Namibian Imagens.
Challenges that face us as we see it are:
·
to introduce Imago concepts into schools and in the workplace
·
make weekend workshops more cost effective and accessible to disadvantaged communities
·
increase our marketing effectiveness
·
acquire business support and funding
We have been set a great example of dialogue and respectful listening
by our beloved Madiba, Nelson Mandela and we feel hopeful that Imago
has much to offer to people who have triumphed over historical trauma
and are engaged heavily in a process of national healing. May we do this
consciously and well! We are encouraged and optimistic. So, it is good
to keep in contact with you and keep the bonds of communication alive.
Thank you for your concern and interest and many blessings to you in
all your work and play relationships - please keep us in touch with all
the areas of transformation that Imago International is undergoing.
With
thanks and love,
Denise Moys
Visit us online at: http://www.imagoafrica.com/