Recently a presentation was made about AVP at the Rhodes University symposium on Community Engagement. In addition, around 20 attendees joined us for a "taster" workshop and were very enthusiastic about what took place. We now look forward to working with a number of our colleagues from the symposium in the near future 

just down the road from Helenvale is the community of Schauder and Korsten and they enjoyed the workshop just as much as the PAC in Helenvale - here is their pic and comments; 

Workshop was very uplifting and informative                    It help me to understand myself and the current situation that I am in and our help others also    We have to respect ourselves first and one another, encourage each other and learn to trust    When expecting the best for self and for others you will treat ppl with dignity    You ask for alternative solutions to violence and think before you act. When doing all of these you realise and exercise the power locked inside yourself                     It is being able to use the power within you to change the lives of people in the community. You are moving and doing things from a point of knowing that your outcome is changed lives.           I have an important role to play in transforming my community (I have Transforming Power within)                   To sit and listen to a person that talk to you and not chip in                   That every person can be and make a difference in even the worst person                   To believe there can be change if you work together as a community                The I message and never to judge others because you do not know what they are going through                The I concept            The most important for me was that everything you do to help others starts with you. Learn to love and trust yourself and everything else will fall into place         Empowerment can make you strong. To be confident about yourself. To grow your community                    The supportive participation of the other members. The knowledge gained in a friendly manner, not as concrete theory            Never before have I had such a lovely learning experience        To know that I am not done and that other people also have problems                  

GIZ had sponsored 3 workshops (Basic, Advanced and Training of Facilitators) over the past 2 years for a group of Community leaders in and around Port Elizabeth. After their training the 22 new facilitators began their own training in their communities - with our assistance as Mentors / coaches / support facilitators. So far Mandela Bay Development Agency have sponsored 7 basic workshops and The Wilderness Foundation 2. With more to come.