Taking the step into Primary Care treatment, is daunting for any addict. While the prospect of recovery may be something every addict longs for, it involves leaping heart-first into the unknown and this in itself is frightening. While addiction is devastating and crippling, it certainly holds familiarity and therein many find comfort. Change comes when freedom screams louder than fear and when having faith and moving forward are the only things left to do. Engaging in a treatment programme takes courage, it requires support and it calls for commitment – but it starts with just a decision; once that decision is made, there is no turning back.
The Healing Wings programme ignites a journey which encourages transformation of thinking and behavioural patterns through a holistic treatment regime. Counseling and therapy is provided on a one on one level, through interactive groups, skills development programmes, creative therapies and recreational activities. Read on for some updates on the Healing Wings programme.

Student Programme

Engaging in a primary care treatment programme while simultaneously working a full school syllabus, is a feat taken on only by the courageous and determined! The students of Healing Wings Purpose College have taken on this feat, diligently pushing through 2011 and have completed the year with their heads-held high.
2011 has been a challenging year for those doing their studies, distance learning, at Healing Wings. Following a strict timetable and ensuring good preparation throughout the year, year-end exams were tackled with confidence and the student now wait expectantly for their results.
The hard work culminated in a wonderful year-end dinner, held in the Healing Wings “Red Hall”. After photo’s and beverages in the open-air lounge, students were seated to a delicious 3 course dinner served by members of the Healing Wings Culinary Course. What an evening!
To round-off the 2011 school-year, families were invited to the student’s certificate and farewell ceremony. Students and tutors gave heart-felt messages. Healing Wings would like to thank the “class of 2011” for diligently persevering to finish what was started, it is in doing this that fruits will show in their lives.

Government

What an honor it is to work hand in hand with the bench-markers of our country. Healing Wings South Africa has completed our second running year of compliance with the Department of Social Developments’ Minimum Norms and Standards for In Patient Treatment Centre’s. Department standards are high and remaining compliant is as testing as obtaining our initial registration; knowing that we provide residents with what we know to be the best possible treatment and care, is a privilege worth the hard-work. Regular monitoring assessments are conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development to ensure that in every aspect, Healing Wings abides by the standards under which we are registered, hereby maintaining continuity of care to each and every resident.
2011 has proven eventful with regards Department dealings and we are committed to maintaining a steadfast relationship within the Department. As far as possible members of our Multi Professional team are in attendance at Substance Abuse forums and provincial meetings with relevant stakeholders. Our participation in the plight against substance abuse on a level outside of the treatment centre continues to broaden our scope.
Healing Wings was a participating stakeholder in the recent drafting of the new National Drug Master Plan; while still in its draft state, this manual contains guidelines and protocols integral to the development of a nation against drug abuse.

Youth Centre

2012 brings with it exciting plans with opening of the Healing Wings Youth Centre and School. With the vision in place, a passion to see the lives of young people transformed and the strength of the Lord, registration for the centre has been handed in to the Department of Social Development. Advances further involve developing the youth centre site and infrastructure.
Doing our part in meeting the current exorbitant demand of treatment for young people, is of utmost importance to us; it is heart-wrenching to have to turn applications away because of non-compliance to age. Please keep an eye on our updates for further news with regards to the Youth Centre.

Support Groups

Primary Care rehabilitation is a slice in the pie of recovery and living a life of freedom. Without the other slices, there is no stability, there is no whole. Support groups form an integral part of this process affording families and loved ones the platform to receive healing and become empowered with regards to addiction. For the resident leaving treatment, a smooth transition and continuity of care is a safeguard to ensure that the individuals’ walks into a stable environment, in which he/she is accountable for decisions and actions made. It is our recommendation that families and loved ones get involved in a support group structure.

Residents

Being a resident at Healing Wings, involves responsibility … responsibility to commitment made to completing what has been started. Responsibility to being open and honest, responsibility to remaining accountable, responsibility to persevering and pushing past barriers and of course … responsibility to letting ones hair down and having fun! We believe that while life is serious, it doesn’t always have to be taken seriously and to this end we encourage residents to participate in planned recreational events.
The male residents “Explorers Adventure Weekend” was a blast! 50 residents trekked the Sudwala Forest mountains into a weekend of sleeping in bungalow’s with bugs as big as their fists, hiking up mountains for hours and returning with bodies aching with glee! Abseiling down cliffs, swimming in the forest streams, breathing in the mountain air and enjoying amazing brotherhood and fellowship.
The benefits of being a female resident at Healing Wings means that having a good time doesn’t necessarily mean getting ones hands dirty – quite the contrary, the female residents recently enjoyed a day of pampering. Beauty therapists from Nelspruit came through with massage beds, face steamers and Mani/Pedi kits, to spoil the ladies with a day of relaxation and pampering!

Outreach

Keeping close to heart the creed that one keeps what one has, by giving it away, outreach is a joy to partake in at Healing Wings:






Mozambique: Residents, who have been here for a significant period of time, are given the opportunity to take part in outreaches to the Healing Wings facility in the district of Bela Vista, Mozambique. Healing Wings Mozambique facilitates a number of community empowerment projects focused on skills development and job creation. The mindset is one of healthy lifestyle sustainability. From agriculture and fish farming to home ware and jewelry making, the members of this community carry an enthusiasm for life which shines in the fruits of their labor! It is a privilege for Healing Wings residents to partake in this enthusiasm first hand – how humbling it is to witness individuals emerging out of the clutches of poverty, with heads held high. It is an unrelenting faith burning inside the individual, which sparks a district like Bela Vista and when this catches flame, there is no stopping the changing of a nation! For Healing Wings staff and residents, we want more than just an end to drug addiction, we want a hand in changing nations.


Sudwala: Right here in Sudwala, live the members of the Mankele Community. In the 2 years that Healing Wings South Africa has been open, we have seen little of these individuals … tucked deep in forests are their humble dwellings. They have extremely limited resources. Many have arrived here in pursuit of employment on the surrounding wood mills or slate quarries; having to leave behind their families just in order to provide for them. Mandela day 2011 provided an excellent opportunity for Healing Wings staff and residents to “break the ice” with the Mankele Community. The Rivers Edge resort provided a perfect platform for a day of music, food, gifts and fellowship. It was an honor to host the Mandela/Mankele day on the 6th June 2011! We have recently had our second Mankele community party, hosted as well at Rivers Edge on the 20th November 2011.
Thank you for visiting the Healing Wings website, please keep visiting us for more updates- we welcome your comments and feedback.

God Bless

The Healing Wings team

These being the planning, execution and fulfilment of strategic developments of our vision, purposes and goals for today, the future and how we as a team can continue fighting the good fight against drugs in our country.

• AGM –Board Members and Healing Wings Management present their first general meeting.
• Drug Provincial Summit - Giles Fourie extends his godly influence into the chambers of local government
• First Mankele Mile –a 1600 meter circular swim for gold, silver, bronze and achievement.
• SoulJah – our first evangelical drug awareness campaign is realised.

Our first AGM was held on the 28th May 2011 and provided our directors, Acacio and Ruth Valadas Vieira with the platform to share the development and growth of HWSA over the last two years. One easily forgets that Healing Wings residents and management team arrived in RSA on a cold June morning 2 years ago, after an Exodus out of Mozambique into the unknown. Well that is old news and this forum provided the board to present the reality of the challenges faced and how through steadfast perseverance over-came these challenges. It is this commitment to a calling that has transformed HWSA into a flagship rehabilitation centre that fully complies with the Minimum Norms and Standards set out by the Social Development Department. Ruth was able to thank Isabel Makusha from the Department of Social Development for her inspection and endorsement of HWSA the week prior to the AGM. In her inspection, Isabel confirmed that Healings Wings had complied to all of the standards set out by legislation.

The stark reality of before and after pictures presented in PowerPoint visually highlighted the journey travelled – from ashes to beauty. Each department was offered the opportunity to present feedback on how structures, procedures, policies and administrative systems have ensured growth, accountability and direction for every activity offered by HWSA.
The meeting was attended by over 40 individuals representing families, residents, support groups, local authorities and staff from other recognised social services. Positive feedback and encouragement was received from all attendees
After Carte Blanche – again one can measure the success in a venture by the amount of feedback received. Since the viewing of Acacio and Ruth’s story on Carte Blanche they have received mails from across the country encouraging them to keep pioneering forward. Many past residents also wrote in and called to thank our leader’s for the inspiration that they remain to be in their lives. (Click here to watch the interview)

Congratulations Ruth !! Ruth was appointed a bona fide commissioner of oaths. Witness her first official signing on our photo’s page.

The first official Drug Master Plan for Mpumulanga returned with Giles and Gabisile after attending the local provincial drug summit in Secunda.

09-10 JUNE 2011
GRACELAND-SECUNDA

Giles Fourie : Operation Manager
Gabisile P Nxumalo : Social Auxiliary Work.
Introduction
The summit was well attended with a record 600 people this included the MEC Ms DG Mahlangu, KW Motloung from the District Municipality, Ms Ningi Mlangeni the Acting Head of DSD, SAPS T Ntobela the Provincial Commissioner, MF Dhlamini the Chief Director: Community Development, COSATU,SALGA, Liquor Industry, NYDA, House of Tradition Leaders, Business Against Crime, MSAF, CDA and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee.
An Overview of the Summit
The focus of the Summit was to clearly define the role of government together with NPO’s and NGO’s in the Mpumalanga Province in fighting the growing scourge of drug addiction.
Giles Fourie was elected to be the part of the board to organize the provincial Anti Substance Abuse Summit and sits on the Mpumalanga Substance abuse Forum.
The MEC strongly emphasized that due to lack of jobs, houses and poor education people are trapped in the cycle of poverty. It is these people that are more vulnerable to getting trapped in addiction and this result in the rising crime rate in our communities. The issue of addiction is affecting our youth and it is no longer unusual for children to sell their bodies for sex to support their addiction. She strongly stated that as a country and a people we need to fight this problem in our communities. The war on drugs needs to unified between the Government, NGO and Social Development to have victory and to have drug free country.
The MEC spoke about street kids and she strongly stated that more needs to be done to help those children by getting them off the streets and into rehabilitation centers. This is the starting point of many hardened criminal and drug peddlers.

The commission topics:

1. Demand Reduction:-
• The gaps in the existing policies
• Effects of drugs on youth.

2. Supply Reduction.
• The role of SAPS in the reduction of drugs supply.
• Border control and management on substance abuse issues (SAPS, Home Affairs and SARS)

3. Harm Reduction.
• Prevention programmes on the dangers of drugs abuse.
• Drug treatment.
• Treatment for children under the age of 18.

4. Role of Civil Society.
• The relationship between crime and substance abuse.
• The relationship between HIV & AIDS and substance abuse.
• The role of religion in combating substance abuse.
• The role of moral regeneration in combating substance abuse.

Conclusion
• There is a high demand for social workers.
• There is a high demand to focus on youth and schools.
• There is a shortage Youth Care Centre’s across the country.
It was a great experience to be part of the Provincial Summit. On behalf of the Healing Wings Rehabilitation Centre we appreciate the invitation and we are looking forward to continue working with Government and the Social Development.

By the By…

It was not only serious business this month, fun and recreation was also part of the programmes as we develop activities that inspire others to seek thrills in the natural and a healthy manner.

Our Equine therapy received an extended new stable which was in preparation to welcome Sage and Constantine two ex racing thoroughbreds from our stock in Mozambique. Weeks of planning between vets, customs officials and the operations team resulted in these two beautiful horses being able to cross the border and enter into RSA. Sage and Constantine are a welcomed sight as they are desperately needed to respond to the demand we have to partake in this therapy.

Mankele Mile success. 12 swimmers got into the water and 12 finished strong – This after serious struggles with self doubt, fear of freezing to death and an absolute belief that we will not achieve this goal. Well swimmers, you came, you swam and you won. After training in cold water at 6h00 and giving up of your personal time you proved that you can achieve goals that your mind says you will not possibly be able to do. A special mention of Sister Danel’s commitment is required as she boldly leapt into water to get a much needed asthma pump to a resident. Hats off- applause. This has proven so successful that we will extend the events on the day to include 100 and 200 meter sprints.

IndaBush Our ladies went for a hike into the local hills with determination to get out of their comfort zones. A specific route was selected which forces team work as obstacles such as rocks, boulders, cascading waterfalls need to be overcome to reach the final goal – the hidden waterfall. Tougher patches are overcome through combining strength, willpower and pure encouragement to overcome the spots “I can do this.” Not alone but using one another as stepping stones, “a hands” up or a shove from behind to get through it. We are not leaving you behind – we are going to do this together. The attitudes developed in this challenge prove that if we work as a team we can make it and asking for help is not filled with shame but a desperate need to get over this thing in front of me. Well done Girls… always an inspiration.

First Mountain top praise and worship – – the men’s team decided to hike up the surrounding hills early one morning instead of the normal routine. We headed off with the guys at 6h00 and started the track up a hill overlooking HWSA. Many groans and moans along the way but once we had reached our planned spot each resident was given some space to become quiet and focus on what’s going on in their heart and heads. After a while we gathered together and offered thanks to God for providing us a new opportunity at life.

Healing Wings was invited by Kohin ministries to join hands with their ministry in fighting the fight of faith in Lydenburg. Kohin have a yearly youth week whereby they present a jam packed week of worship, teachings, dance dramas and productions aimed at creating a platform to spread the Gospel to the youth of Lydenburg.

To make this effective we christened our worship band with the name –SoulJah. Jah meaning the independent ONE of my SOUL and Jah found in the term hallelujah – meaning a thousand praises. So we believe that if we fill our hearts with worship, his love, grace and deliverance we can give praises to him. Then as good soldiers we need to take this message to others. We become SoulJahs of the Good news.
SoulJah’s strategy was to offer two nights of praise and worship as we know that worship opens up the heavens and reinforces God’s sovereignty on earth. The following day we delivered a message via two mediums, these being a PowerPoint presentation and a live drama enactment focused on the reality and effects of drug addiction.

Results? One can only determine effectiveness based on feedback and this was seen in the fact that individuals were encouraged to finally come forward and seek help. 6 Teenagers are currently now been directed from addiction to recovery due to the power of exposing the truth about drugs in RSA. On the worship side, countless teenagers came forward to surrender their lives in to the care of the Lord and sought counsel from trained Kohin representatives. Lastly we have been invited back by the local church and Kohin to continue creating a godly influence and standard in the area. Thank You – Father