“Before Aurora”

“Before Aurora” by Mpho Musi

Before Aurora

I was chemically dependant,

My life was out of order

Life e ne e bora

Look, before Aurora

I thought I was a goner

I nearly killed myself

Got high on mandrax,

Cos I wanted to calm my nerves.

Before Aurora

I was a “rocka”

In the same ring with Alcohol

The coach was my dagga zol

Before Aurora

I used to think I have it all

But in reality the drugs was calling the shots.

Before Aurora

My mother wanted nothing to do with me

I saw my baby sis got scared

When I stepped in the house with my eyes looking blood red

Before Aurora, I was bad

I used to steal from my mother, taking money out of her purse

Before Aurora, compared to any other addicts I was the worst

I used to think I’m a curse

Before Aurora, my life was a mess.

Van ‘n Ouer aan ‘n Kind — Anoniem

Van ‘n Ouer aan ‘n Kind — Anoniem

Ek het jou die lewe gegee, maar ek kan dit nie vir jou lewe nie.

Ek kan jou dinge leer, maar ek kan jou dit nie maak leer nie.

Ek kan jou probeer rigting gee, maar ek is nie altyd daar om jou te lei nie.

Ek kan jou vryheid toelaat, maar ek kan nie daarvoor verantwoording doen nie.

Ek kan jou kerk toe neem, maar ek kan jou nie maak glo nie.

Ek kan jou leer onderskei tussen reg en verkeerd, maar ek kan nie vir jou besluit nie.

Ek kan vir jou mooi klere koop, maar ek kan jou nie van binne mooi maak nie.

Ek kan jou raad gee, maar ek kan dit nie namens jou aanvaar nie.

Ek kan jou liefde gee, maar ek kan dit nie op jou afdwing nie.

Ek kan jou leer om mededeelsaam te wees, maar ek kan jou nie onselfsugtig maak nie.

Ek kan jou leer om respek te hê, maar ek kan jou nie dwing om eer te bewys nie.

Ek kan jou raad gee oor vriende, maar ek kan hulle nie vir jou kies nie.

Ek kan jou leer oor seks, maar ek kan jou nie rein hou nie.

Ek kan vir jou die feite van die lewe vertel, maar ek kan nie jou reputasie behou nie.

Ek kan jou van drank vertel, maar ek kan nie namens jou  nee sê nie.

Ek kan jou waarsku teen dwelms, maar ek kan nie verhoed dat jy hulle gebruik nie.

Ek kan jou vertel van hoë prestasies, maar ek kan dit nie vir jou bereik nie.

Ek kan jou vertel van goedheid, maar ek kan jou nie forseer om genadig te wees nie.

Ek kan jou waarsku omtrent sonde, maar ek kan nie vir jou standaarde stel nie.

Ek het jou lief as my kind, maar ek kan jou nie God se kind maak nie.

Ek kan jou leer van Jesus, maar ek kan nie Jesus jou Koning maak nie.

Ek kan jou leer van die lewe, maar ek kan jou die Ewige Lewe nie gee nie.

Looking for a Social worker

AURORA ALCOHOL & DRUG CENTRE

BLOEMFONTEIN

(Affiliated to SANCA)

Applicants are invited to apply for the post of Social Worker

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

·        In patient treatment of alcohol and drug dependents

REQUIREMENTS: Registration at SACSSP

Fluent in Sotho and English

Proficiency in other African languages will be beneficial

Valid driver’s licence

BENEFITS: Competitive salary/medical/pension/leave

Direct your enquiry to:

Mrs v Dyk, Tel (051) 4477271

COMMENCEMENT DATE: As soon as possible

CLOSING DATE: 15/4/13

Applicants who have not received any response within 21 days, should regard their application as unsuccessful

Entertainment Galore

                    ENTERTAINMENT GALORE 

What better way than to have brunch with your favourite local cele-brity? Catch  us “Aurora” as we launch our first youth fundraising project on 11 May 2013 — year of inventions — it’s fresh, it’s new it’s fun. This event is brought to you by the Aurora personnel; initiated by the innovative  junior staff, supported by the legendary senior staff and will be celebrated by you and many more exciting people out there. Did I mention there will be a celebrity performing at the show? Watch the space, at Aurora we make things  happen……. 

by  Kido Morobe

Legalising Cannabis? The director's view

Legalising Cannabis? The director's view

In two articles I recently came across, the reasons for legalising Cannabis was based on the listed points of view. I have deliberately refrained from giving the other side’s point of view as to allow the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. It must be added that there are more arguments for (and against) the legalisation of Cannabis, but these will be explored in the next issue of the Newsletter.

1. The drug generally isn't more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in moderation.

2. Limiting the use of the drug intrudes on personal freedom.

3. Legalization would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced.

4. There are medical benefits such as those for cancer patients.

5. Street justice related to drug disputes would be reduced.

6. It could be a source of additional tax revenues.

7. Police and court resources would be freed up for more serious crimes.

8. Drug dealers (including some terrorists) would lose most or all of their business.

9. The FDA or others could regulate the quality and safety of drugs.

10. Like sex, alcohol, or cigarettes, marijuana is one of life's little pleasures for some people.

11. Aside from recreational drug use, Cannabis has several industrial and commercial uses, as over 25,000 products can be made from the crop.

12. Drug busts often trap young people in a flawed system that turns them into lifelong criminals.

The second article made use of the following arguments:

1. “Marijuana is safe and non-addictive.”

2. “Marijuana prohibition makes no more sense than alcohol prohibition did in the early 1900s.”

3. “The government’s efforts to combat illegal drugs have been a total failure.”

4. “The money spent on government efforts to combat the illegal drug trade can be better spent on substance abuse and treatment for the allegedly few marijuana users who abuse the drug.”

5. “Tax revenue collected from marijuana sales would substantially outweigh the social costs of legalization.”

The above arguments are intensely debated and the drive to legalise Cannabis in South Africa is gaining momentum. If you were asked to give an opinion, what arguments would you be using?                     

  G.H.J. Kruger

Why art heals

Why art Heals

The Aurora Youth Centre is in the business of healing. We do not use the Greek methodology in therapy but we do realise the impact art has on therapy.

In general the young persons admitted in the centre have suffered some traumatic events, displays limited life skills and have a poor self image and self esteem. To express emotions verbally and deal with the associated emotional pain in this regard is another traumatic experience. Some young persons never build up the courage to truly express themselves. By introducing different art forms the young persons get the opportunity to express what they are experiencing and what they have experienced without saying a word.

When doing art the emphasis is usually placed on the final product. We have however moved the focus from the final product to the process. This is done because the process of art-making itself is integrating. The expressive arts are about making, doing, creating. We face the youth with the knowledge that the arts are inherently healing, and with that knowledge, as well as a respect for the role the individual plays in his/her own wellbeing, we can assist them in their search for wholeness.

The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung wrote about the process of trying to understand himself through imagery and the artistic process. He understood that the art experience was crucial to self-knowledge and believed that self-knowledge brings healing. We agree that knowledge and understanding of one’s self and one’s disease, chemical dependency, can move one towards wholeness. The expressive arts are primarily an educational process that is therapeutic because it moves the young person towards health.

Wholeness and health relate to the state of completeness. If we lack certain knowledge then we are not complete in our understanding. When we learn something new, we gain insight and have a greater capacity for understanding. We begin to grow towards the fullness of who we are. Knowledge and education are deeply related. The goal of education is to bring us knowledge. True education is an internal change, which is measured by what the youth produces. The art products of the youth are concrete manifestations of the real learning, the knowledge that develops within. New materials and information is presented. The young person adds his own thoughts and brings new understanding to his own world. Thus, education is the interweaving between inner and outer realms. Meaning the internal images of each young person meets the form of art and becomes part of a dance between inner imagining and outer form, between creation and expression. This expression indicates a connection the young person has with his inner world, thoughts, dreams and emotions. Art is a response which moves the young person from one place to another, and which connects feelings, thoughts, materials and insights. Arts leap into being when these different worlds merge.

Another special function of art in regard to the internal world is that it can also engage the unconscious. Art thus allows the patient to express the unknown from the unconscious depths of one’s being and allow the unknown to become knowledge in the light of consciousness. This in it self is a very helpful therapeutic tool.

In the Aurora Youth Centre’s art programme different themes are used to address different areas of the young person’s lives.  Doing a self portrait or portrait of my family and friends gives the therapist an indication of different relationships and the importance there of. Using different poems with the general theme of my favourite place, the youth painted their favourite place on earth which indicated belonging and security. The youth thoroughly enjoy doing graffiti. They use this art form to leave a message to the young persons who will still be attending the programme. The young persons are encouraged to use art as a way to express emotions. The use of different colours in this regard gives the therapist a good indication of emotions the young persons struggles to verbalise. Dealing with past traumatic events as well as planning for the future are themes often used with creating collages.

Music and dancing is used as a form of expressive art. A weekly drumming circle leads to the Aurora staff reaching for ear plugs but the youth use the opportunity to express emotions in a loud and fun way. Music is an important part of the young persons functioning and they enjoy dancing or singing, to different genre of music to express their specific emotions and feelings at any given time.

The youth are encouraged to journal daily. Thus using words, poetry and creative writing as another way to express feelings and emotions as well as give a true description of experiences. This is used in individual therapy to address specific problem areas, develop problem solving skills as well as emotional skills.

Now the question, why do art heal?

When the educational process is used therapeutically the young person is moved from a state of poor self knowledge, emotional distress and limited skills to a place of health and wellbeing. A state where the inner world of feelings, emotions, thoughts and experiences, meets an outer from of expression leading, to understanding and ultimately healing.

Reference: The Expressive Arts Activity Book. A resources for Professionals.

Suzanne Darley and Wende Heath

Quote

I personally believe this: "We have only today; yesterday's gone and tomorrow is uncertain. that's why they call it the present. And sobriety really is a gift...for those who are willing to receive it." - Ace Frehley