Drama for Life launched in Lesotho
March 30, 2010 – The ‘Young people in Theatre against HIV and AIDS’ project and DFL launch took place in Lesotho on 19 February 2010.
The theatre project was undertaken by the NGO Coalition on the Rights of a Child (NGOC) with support from the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The project benefited from the expertise of DFL alumni Selloane Mokuku and Kathy Barolsky who, in many ways, translated their research topics into practice. The project started with a theatre residency and culminated in a play entitled Mankokosane.
Drama For Life (DFL) director Warren Nebe and DFL monitoring and evaluation member Kudakwashe Chitambire were welcomed to Lesotho to attend the events.
Mokuku introduced the implementation of the Winter/Summer Institute model, while Barolsky introduced playback theatre.
“I always had a vision while undertaking my research, that I see it transforming from the library shelves into my working environment. I am humbled that through the project, this has been achieved,” said Mokuku.
Located in the three HIV-prevalent districts of Leribe, Maseru and Berea, the project was undertaken for the benefit of young people and adolescents. Specific areas were targeted for dissemination of HIV and AIDS knowledge and to encourage risk reduction and avoidance skills through community based interactive theatre.
Through this project, NGOC aims to change the behaviour of young people and adolescents, an initiative that is consistent with the National HIV and AIDS Plan of Action 2006-2011 as well as the Behavior Change Communication in Lesotho: National Behaviour Change Communication Strategy (2008 -2013).
With seed funding from UNICEF, Master Facilitators (MFs) supported Local Facilitators (LFs) in establishing community based theatre groups.
Project coordinator Nthabiseng Ramakhetheng expressed her surprise at the positive reception received at one of the performances in Leribe.
“There is a lot of excitement and commitment in this type of theatre making,” she says.
Ramakhetheng has found that young people enjoy the novelty of playback theatre, which is equipping them with risk-reduction strategies without the need for formal education.
“They experience the plays, which resonates with what I learned at the residency: ‘Only when taught by reality can we change reality’ – a quote from German practitioner Bertolt Brecht, and ‘ntlafatsa motho motho o tla ntlafatsa naha’ – a quote from Ntate James Jacob Machobane.
“I am very optimistic about the contribution made by the young people and adolescents,” Ramakhetheng added.
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