Give a gift to support AngliCORD's overseas relief and development work.The challenge
For almost half a century South Africa suffered under a brutal system of enforced racial segregation known as apartheid. From 1948 onwards the rights of the majority black inhabitants were severely restricted and even entirely denied under this brutal regime.
In 1994 – following a long campaign of internal resistance and external opposition – the system was finally brought down and a new era of democratic governance began. But South Africa was faced with the need to overcome the painful legacy of apartheid.
In a bid to deal with the past, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up to allow the painful details of this appalling chapter in the nation’s history could be told. It soon became clear however that that only a minority of South Africans would be able to tell their story before the Commission. Opportunities were needed for more South Africans to finally be heard.
Our united response
Anglicord has been working for many years with the Institute for Healing of Memories (IHOM) to contribute to the healing journeys of individuals and communities in South Africa.
IHOM was set up by Anglican priest Fr Michael Lapsley to build on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by offering paths to healing between racial groups, ways to express psychological wounds, and a roadmap to reconstruction in South Africa.
Anglicord has been a long-term supporter of IHOM and endorses its vision of contributing to the healing journeys of individuals, communities and nations.
As Fr Michael himself says: “The power of the workshops lies in their emphasis on the emotional and spiritual, rather than intellectual, understanding and interpretation of the past. Through an exploration of their personal histories, participants find emotional release and as a group gain insight into and empathy for the experiences of others.”
Program progress
Many people have benefited from IHOM workshops, including people who have experienced domestic abuse, refugees, prisoners, people living with HIV and AIDS and grandparents caring for the orphaned children of parents who have died from AIDS.
IHOM has been so successful that the workshops have been requested and held in countries around the world including Australia, the US, Britain, Ireland and Rwanda.
IHOM and Anglicord are currently exploring ways to support the efforts of the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs a lot of help to heal the many wounds which people have suffered through political and ethnic conflict. Anglicord has committed to supporting the working of Fr Michael and IHOM with the Diocese of Harare in Zimbabwe in 2010/11.
At a glance
| Project partners: |
IHOM and the Anglican Diocese of Harare |
| Location: |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Target population: |
The people of Zimbabwe |
| Partnership began: |
1998 |
| Start date (current phase): |
September 2010 |
| Anglicord target (2010/11): | $ 20,000 |
Donate today
Make a donation to support the Institute for Healing of Memories in South Africa.