Day 4

Today we returned to Qwa Qwa to present material and do small groups with the coaches that work for Thrive Africa in the schools. The coaches work with 7th, 8th and 9th graders and provide evangelism, discipleship and mentoring to the teenagers they work with. Many times they are also the one person the teens feel safe talking to about things going on in their homes and the traumas they have been through. There seems to great sexual and physical trauma within the community, especially rape and incest, and the tremendous prevalence of AIDS in this country comes to bear on the teens because of these traumas.

We provided the coaches education on Grief and Loss and Trauma with in the Family. Also, Dr. Keyes showed them several ways they could help the teens to be open about situations using story telling, puppets, and rocks or small stuffed toys as methods of allowing them to tell their story. The small groups went well and the coaches were excited to now have techniques and tools they could use with the teens. We will continue with more presentations for the coaches on Wednesday.

We, as the team, were encouraged by the coaches' love and desire to continue working with these teens and making a difference. They are the next generation and the hope for the Besotho tribe which helps the coaches many times to continue even when they are tired and stressed from working with the teens. This is a country of extreme poverty and almost 90% unemployment in the area where we are working. Rape is common and happens frequently, not only among women but among children as well. The ministry here at Thrive Africa is clearly a light for God in a very dark place.