Alternatives to violence
Michael Williams introduces the South African
AVP initiative, Phaphama - Zulu for 'wake up:
Ten years after the first free and fair elections in South Africa, it is said that violence is still costing the country as much as apartheid. Sadly, those worst affected arethe most vulnerable - women, children, the underprivileged.
It is obvious that no amount of 'throwing money at the problem' will resolve this - it is necessary to change attitudes. Such long term peace work is deeply unattractive to those who look for a quick fix and congratulatory headlines.
The Phaphama Initiatives Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP SA) teaches conflict resolution skills. Started in 1995 by Quakers, it has gathered pace and it is planned to treble the number of workshops in the next three years, from 100 in 2004 to 300 in 2007. In particular, it is seeking to expand the work into the Western Cape, where the Cape Flats area is riven by gangs and violence.
Historically, AVP SA has generated nearly half its income by selling its services commercially to commerce and government. The profits from this work have been used to fund training for those who need it most but are too poor to pay, especially schools and young people in disadvantaged areas.
British Quakers have proved their concern and generosity over years for this and with many other projects. Now Phaphama is looking for help from committed Friends to
form a UK support group. In June Colin Glen and Michael Williams from AVP SA will be visiting the UK and will be happy to talk to Meetings or individuals interested in becoming involved. Current co-clerk of Central & Southern Africa Yearly Meeting, Colin
is a co-founder of Phaphama. Alternatives to Violence Projects have been introduced all over the world. Many have been successful but in some cases the initial enthusiasm has been halted by the practicalities of those involved being unable to make a sufficient commitment on a voluntary basis. The AVP SA approach is different and has proved to be a sustainable model capable of growing. In many respects, it has adopted Quaker methods of doing business. There are no employees, no formal director and no administrator. The constant aim is - Quaker style - to achieve agreement inclusively - 'beyond consensus' - using 'clearness committees' as necessary especially to develop new ways of doing things. The underlying aim is to encourage volunteering, to allow people to give passion, time and effort - and to build human relationships.
Carefully selected and trained facilitators are paid as partners/self employed contractors but this is strictly on the basis of services rendered. Phaphama itself operates as a resource centre, providing
training, administration, back
up and support to a growing number of facilitators. This approach encourages the partners to grow the organization, both from conviction and for good, practical financial reasons. Most have desperate need of ways of earning a living and do not have the luxury of being able to afford to be a volunteer. At present, some 200 people (mostly from thetownships) earn part or all of their living through Phaphama activities.
The success of Phaphama may be as much due to its model for selecting, training and paying its partners, as to the fact that key players have extensive business backgrounds.
Michael Williams, Cape Western MM, previouslywith Wolverhampton and
Rochester Meetings.
Any individuals and Meetings interested in forming a UK support group or wishing to invite Colin or Michael to speak, should contact Phaphama Initiatives, PO Box 94144, Yeoville 2143, South Africa, email: . Donations may be sent to Henrica Tekens-Milne, St Huberts Lodge, 61 Church Road, Watford WD 17 4PY (cheques payable to Alternatives to Violence Projects South Africa). Further information at:
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the Friend, 29 April 2005