Managing Trauma in our Classrooms

July 1, 2021

As a way to mitigate some of the devastating effects of the Covid-19 crisis, Lalela will be rolling out our Resource Guide for Working with Learners Affected by Trauma to educators, first in the Western Cape in the third term of this year, and then across South Africa in 2022.

Our trauma curriculum has been developed as a critical resource for teachers who are often the first point of contact for learners after a traumatic event, or who need to assist learners in overcoming behavioral difficulties as a result of trauma, so that they can participate positively in class.

Lalela regularly works with learners affected by trauma in some of the most challenging communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Many of our learners are affected by constant exposure to gang violence, domestic violence, drug abuse, community unrest, poverty, HIV and displacement. Through our educational arts programmes we have developed creative arts-based methods of helping learners affected by trauma to ground themselves and self-regulate. These skills help them focus on learning and creating in a safe and healthy environment.

This resource guide has been created as a source of tried and tested tips, tricks and creative projects, which educators can slot into their curriculum or school day in order to assist their learners in managing their behavior, and help them learn. Lalela will run in-person or online workshops with teachers who will use the curriculum and material with learners.

Lalela’s Impact

We have a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan, to make sure that whatever we do is tracked, assessed and is realising our outcomes as stated in our Theory of Change. From one of our flagships projects, the Heart Maps Social Cohesion project, carried out with the support of the National Arts Council, an independent M&E organisation, Impact Consulting, found that 89% of teachers reported seeing positive changes in learners because of Heart Maps, particularly in the way the learners relate to their peers, while 74% of learners responded that they would behave better towards others as a result of the project.

This is testament to the durability and sustainability of Lalela’s impact in its programmes. This project also involved running teacher workshops around South Africa, accredited with the South African Council for Educators (SACE), and its learnings and experiences have provided a strong foundation for continuing to run teacher workshops for our Resource Guide for Teachers Working with Learners Affected by Trauma

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Your generosity makes it possible for Lalela’s educational arts programmes to create meaningful change that affects thousands of at-risk children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Your generosity makes it possible for Lalela’s educational arts programmes to create meaningful change that affects thousands of at-risk children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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2021-09-10T15:19:30+02:00
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