(Photo: Irene Bom)
I’m subscribed to the GOODNEWSLETTER – a weekly dose of five good news stories to counter cynicism and despair, to awaken hope.
This week’s GOODNEWSLETTER opens with a wonderful story from Zimbabwe about the Friendship Bench, a groundbreaking mental health programme based on evidence-based talk therapy, offered for free by trained grandmothers in more than 70 communities around the country.
Here’s an excerpt about one of the grandmothers serving her community as part of this programme:
Chinhoyi, who is 72, has lost count of the number of people she has treated on an almost daily basis over the past 10-plus years. She regularly meets with HIV-positive individuals, drug addicts, people suffering from poverty and hunger, unhappy married couples, lonely older people and pregnant, unmarried young women. Regardless of their background or circumstances, she begins her sessions the same way: “I introduce myself and I say, ‘What is your problem? Tell me everything, and let me help you with my words.’”
After hearing the individual’s story, Chinhoyi guides her patient until he or she arrives at a solution on their own. Then, until their issue is completely resolved, she follows up with the person every few days to make sure they are sticking to the plan.
On the BBC Future website you can read more about the Friendship Bench and how the programme is spreading to other countries.
I Do Believe
I believe in God whose light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never smother it.
I believe in the Word who has become incarnate,
our very flesh and blood,
yet full of grace and truth.
I believe in the blessed appearing of the salvation of our God,
that is for the happiness of all people.
I believe in his name as Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace;
of the increase of his rule and of his unique peace
there will be no end.
The zeal of the God of hosts will do this.
This I surely believe!
~ written by Bruce Prewer, posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. (adapted)
From the blog
Turn to the light
Theme: Good news [prayer sheet]
Show me the way