Empowerment and Healing with Tasleem Adams and Techiah September

Empowerment and Healing: Mitchell’s Plain Network Opposes Abuse, Changing Lives

But today we're shining a spotlight on empowerment, healing, and personal growth. The Mitchell's Plain Network Opposing Abuse, better known as M-P-N-O-A, recently celebrated a group of resilient women who graduated from a 12-week self-discovery program.

Joining us today is a representative from the M-P-N-O-A to tell us more about the program, its impact on local women, and why creating safe spaces for healing is so important in our communities. I'm going to have the conversation with none other than Tasleem Adams and Techiah September. 

A Conversation of Hope

Host: Good morning. How are you guys doing today? Response: Thank you, I'm amazing. I'm amazing.

Host: So I'm going to jump straight into the questions. Tell us about the Mitchell's Plain Network Opposing Abuse and the work your organization does within the Mitchell's Plain community.

Response: Good morning. We are the Mitchell's Plain Network Opposing Abuse. We were established in 1996. At that time, the name was Mitchell's Plain Network Violence Against Women, and it only focused on women and children. In 2010/2011, the name changed to the Mitchell's Plain Network Opposing Abuse because men also came to the forefront seeking assistance.

The projects that we are running include victim empowerment programs where we assist on a daily basis with protection orders and court support. We also have a social worker who does one-on-one sessions, a support group that runs weekly on Wednesdays, and a community skills program on Tuesdays. We also run school projects and raise awareness out in the community to let people know who we are. We are fully funded by the Department of Social Development.

Breaking the Silence

Host: And what inspired the creation of this 12-week self-discovery and empowerment program?

Response: What inspired the program is seeing how participants enter our doors. They often arrive very broken, very isolated, and very unsure of themselves. But by the end of the 12 weeks, they feel a new sense of confidence. They gain coping mechanisms, a stronger self-esteem, and a deeper understanding of their own values and skills. The impact of the program is remarkable to us because it truly empowers our members, educates them, and builds up the community.

Host: How important is self-discovery and rebuilding one's identity for survivors of abuse and trauma?

Response: It is essential. When people think of abuse and domestic violence, they usually think of the physical effects and physical safety. But healing is much more than that, because abuse deeply damages emotional well-being, self-confidence, and identity. Self-care and self-discovery allow survivors to reconnect with themselves. It gives them a new sense of spirit and hope. When people heal and make decisions for themselves, it positively affects the family, and when it affects the family, it changes the entire community. Reconnecting and Rebuilding

Host: The graduation ceremony celebrated women from different age groups and backgrounds. What does that diversity say about the need for these kinds of support programs?

Response: We have participants coming from different backgrounds and communities outside of Mitchell's Plain. The most inspiring thing is seeing them make use of our skills development programs. These participants ultimately find jobs, start their own businesses, and become advocates for others in their own communities.

Even though they come from different cultures and traditions, being together in these diverse age groups allows them to empower each other. We see individual and collective growth. As professionals, we always say that even though they think they are learning from us, a lot of the time we are learning from them about what services are truly needed. Our methodology is highly interactive, experiential, and involves action learning to give everyone the stage to speak out.

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From Empty Cups to Healing Journeys

Host: Many participants spoke about learning the importance of self-care and self-love. Why do you think women often struggle to prioritize their own well-being?

Response: Women are always the ones catering to everyone else's needs first. They carry too many burdens and fill too many pockets. They don't put themselves first and constantly pour from an empty cup, which eventually leads to burnout. Women are natural nurturers. We often ask them in the group: "If there is only one slice of bread left and your child is hungry, what do you do?" The mother always says she will give it to the child. But we try to teach them that if you don't take care of yourself, you cannot give what you don't have.

Host: How does the MPNOA continue supporting participants after they complete the 12-week program?

Response: We do regular follow-ups and encourage them to join our support groups. Many of them actually become volunteers or part of the organization, spreading the word and encouraging others through word of mouth. We have so many success stories of past participants joining our court and school projects.

Finding Your Voice

Host: What role can families, communities, and local organizations play in supporting women on their healing journeys?

Response: It comes down to providing access to services. It is really that simple. Many community members are simply unaware of the resources available to them. Our job is to make people realize they are not alone and that they can access good professional services at absolutely no cost.

Host: For listeners who may be struggling with abuse or trauma, how can they reach out to enroll or find you on social media?

Response: We are on Facebook, Instagram, and have a website. You can also call us directly at 021 376 0459 or 021 376 0454. We also accept walk-ins. We are situated in Beacon Valley, on the corner of A Z Berman Drive, at the Beacon Welfare Centre.

Host: Lastly, what message of hope would you like to share with someone listening today who is struggling with trauma or a loss of identity?

Response: Abuse thrives in silence. If you stay silent, the abuse continues. But healing begins the moment you reach out for support. You are not alone, and there are safe spaces available for you to heal from trauma and realize your worth. You have a voice. One of our recent participants found the strength to speak out about sexual abuse through our skills group, and that allowed her to start her journey of healing.

Host: Tasleem Adams and Techiah September, thank you so much for sharing your journey and the incredible work of your organization. Have a fantastic day further.