Isoko-Wellness Program combines culturally appropriate mental health resources to positively impact Afro-Black communities and other marginalised groups. These services include: 365 Storytelling Events, Isoko Mental Health Retreats, and Therapy Services.
365 Storytelling Program
365 Storytelling Program uses The Tree of Life (TOL) Narrative Therapy methodology with the Imbeleko approach to counselling practice. Imbeleko is a Zulu name that refers to a blanket made from animal skin, which mothers use to carry babies. Lead contributor for the TOL methodology, Ncazelo Ncube, describes the Imbeleko concept as a way to offer protection, love, hospitality and the knowledge and skills Afro-Black communities naturally use to protect their children and the vulnerable. (Ncube, 2018). The Narrative Therapy American Association approves the Tree of life counselling approach, developed in Africa and used in different contexts for diverse groups.
Traditionally, the People of Rwanda enjoy storytelling. Either in formal events, or during the commemoration period called Kwibuka, which last for 100 days to remember the 1994 Tutsi genocide. Usually, these stories will end with a message to encourage the audience to say “Impore” (I see you, and I hear you) and “Dukomeze gutwaza or dukomere” (Continue to be resilient and to be strong). This practice fosters a sense of belonging.
Drawing from the Tree of Life Narrative Therapy pioneer and co-developer Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo, the purpose of Tree of Life Narrative Therapy “is for people who have experienced hardships to be supported to step into the second stories of their lives. People who seek counselling often experience being trapped by the problem stories of their lives. TOL seeks to help people recognize traces of alternative stories which can introduce a new range of options that they can use to address life challenges.” Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo, 2018.
TOL is an artistic and social movement that will draw attention to human rights, cross-cultural understanding, peace-building, and positive social change. Beyond The Veil Mission created this program to incorporate important goals, including strengthening our voices, human rights, cross-cultural understanding, and building self-esteem and respect for others. 365 Storytelling Program will enrich partnerships and nurture the art of Rwandans living in Canada in partnership with other Black/African descent communities.
Storytelling is the most effective way for people of all ages, abilities, and cultures to make sense of human experiences and life. Having a space to transmit and formulate stories is central to the human experiences.
365 Storytelling Program will strengthen our community in:
Storytelling builds community and bridges gaps in cultural differences
Storytelling is a stepping stone to developing cross-cultural partnerships
Storytelling synthesizes the strengths of the community.
Storytelling promotes human connection/interaction.
The 365 Storytelling Program Aims to:
Build a healing and brave community among Afro-Black people
Develop storytelling skills for trauma-sensitive practices within the community
Promote awareness about strengthening resilience within the community
Create a space for public storytelling and related activities
Nurture and define storytelling culture, traditions, and opportunities within the community
Facilitate a meeting space where storytelling can be used to build community and peace by connecting and sharing stories/experiences
Isoko 365 Mental Health Retreat
Isoko is a Kinyarwanda word that can be translated into English as a wellspring, a place of origin, a market, and more. For this particular retreat, we named Isoko365 to represent the original and bountiful source. We want to share available practical resources that can contribute to the healing of our community.
An overview of why Isoko 365 Retreat is vital to the Rwandans, African, Caribbean, and Black communities in Canada.
The goal of the Isoko 365 Retreat is to take Afro-Black individuals and select community representatives living in the GTA and Hamilton areas, learn practical skills they can use to better their mental health, be able to identify the mental health challenges their clients face, and guide them to culturally competent mental health services.
Isoko 365 Retreat Goals:
Goal I: To offer space and time for the participant's mind and body to know exactly what they need to do to heal.
Goal II: Get to know the mental health challenges of the Rwandans, African, Caribbean, and Black communities in Canada.
Goal III: The retreat will contribute to service delivery and care, inspiring changes and boost efforts to increase mental health care access.
Goal IV: Promote research in understanding trauma faced by the Rwandans, African, Caribbean, and Black communities in Canada and, more significantly, inclusivity and Black representation in treating mental health distress.
Goal V: Increase collaboration and partnerships with organizations that offer services to Afo-Black communities and consequently extend mental health services.
