Describe the main features of the measure/initiative:
The project implemented by Vuka Afrika with support of its key partners UNICEF Zimbabwe was direct response from the theatre sector to the devastating effects of the natural disaster Cyclone IDAI. Cyclone IDAI affected around 250 000 people causing loss of homes, public infrastructure, livestock and livelihoods. Most significantly survivors of Cyclone IDAI suffered psychological trauma a grant scale. Vuka Afrika with the support of UNICEF mobilised artists in the affected areas comprising 9 districts namely Makoni, Nyanga, Mutasa, Mutare Urban, Mutare Rural, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chiredzi and Buhera to support community trauma healing and counselling through theatre.
(i) Orientation of Theatre Artists
In total 45 theatre artists (5 in each of the 9 districts above) were oriented in the advanced theatre for development and social mobilisation techniques as well as trauma healing. The orientation and training took place over a five day co-creation residential bootcamp. The outcome of the bootcamp included 10 theatre scripts, 5 for stage theatre and five for puppetry shows. The 45 theatre artists were also oriented on how on the craft of making puppet dolls and manipulating their movements on stage, including use of voice and hand movements.
(ii) Orientation and promotion of theatre among community leaders
Each of the 9 (five member cast teams) returned to their respective districts after the training and orientation bootcamp to sensitise and orient community leadership and other relevant stakeholders about the role of theatre in promoting healing in the aftermath of the destructive cyclone IDAI. The one day events feature theatre performances to the community leaders as audiences. The community leaders feedback was further co-opted into the theatre scripts as part of co-creation.
(iii) Theatre performances in the communities
Following the orientation of community leaders in theatre and its role in community recovery process the 9 teams of 5 artists each organised and performed 240 theatre performances reaching 174 941 audiences in the 9 districts covered under the project. The process of theatre performances facilitated among other results healing from the trauma of the cyclone through laughter and engagement on pertinent issues regarding good hygiene and other health promotion messaging. The project has successfully completed multiple results
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the measure/initiative?:
• 240 platforms created to build theatre audiences and promote theatre as an arts discipline
• Project facilitated mobility of 45 theatre artist within the Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe to showcase their work as well contribute to post disaster psychological healing.
• 45 Artists trained in social mobilisation for health information dissemination and trauma healing.
• 45 Artists co-created theatre scripts with community support and participation for post-cyclone trauma healing.
• 240 theatre performances were completed in 9 districts reaching 174 941 audiences.
• Over 80% of audiences reported the activities to have lifted their moral and determination to rebuild their lives after the cyclone.