Founded in 2002 in South Africa, REPSSI is a nongovernmental organization working in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa. REPSSI provides capacity building and leads advocacy for sustained psychosocial support mainstreaming into programmes and services for girls, boys, youth, families and communities so that they live with hope, dignity and happiness.

Synergos has worked with REPSSI to bring the concepts of social isolation and social connectedness into its programming through a module in REPSSI’s Journey of Life (JOL) Action Workshops. In the JOL Social Connectedness Action Workshop, a facilitator uses illustrations to encourage diverse community members to explore the concepts of isolation and connectedness in the content of poverty and other issues important that community. Each workshop also provides opportunities to explore culture and indigenous knowledge systems in overcoming social isolation. These workshops often demonstrate the extent to which community notions of vulnerability and poverty stretch beyond individual economic wellbeing (asset ownership) and include the quantity and quality of social interactions.

Here are reflections of participants of recent JOL Social Connectedness Action Workshops in Swaziland. The term “picture codes” refers to illustrations used in the workshops:

“It is easy to facilitate a discussion and respond to issues raised by children, families and communities when we are using the picture codes.” (caregiver - Dlangeni, Hhohho region)

“Conversations with children have enabled us to have a deeper understanding of why they feel and behave in certain ways.” (Caregiver - Dlangeni, Hhohho region)

“It is not easy to talk to children about certain issues, but picture codes help us a lot.” (parent - Mpholonjeni, Lubombo region)

“We are able to talk about issues that affect us e.g the way my step-mother abuses me.” (A primary school girl attending after school support programme at Moya Centre, Manzini region)

“It is not good to isolate other children especially those who are poor.” (a primary school girl at Moya Centre - Manzini region)

“We have learned to engage and pay attention when children engage in alcohol and drug abuse, and criminal activities – they may be dealing with social challenges. We should try to help them instead of labelling them.” (Community leader - Mpholonjeni, Lubombo region)

“All children have something to say about the people in the picture codes.” (Caregiver - Lobamba, Manzini region)

Synergos’ Social Connectedness Program in Southern Africa was established in partnership with and with support from the Samuel Family Foundation. It is part of an emerging movement for social connectedness begun by Kim Samuel and led by the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, bringing together a growing, committed community of practice and networks of individuals and organizations around the world.