On May 5, social workers Karen Griessel (left), Lizette Treurnich (middle) and Rhulani Khosa (right) from Rand Aid’s Wedge Gardens treatment centre attended the opening of the new counselling and migrant support centre at the Hillbrow Theatre. Upon arrival, the counsellors were treated to a performance called Isaro directed by Gcebile Dlamini, under the far-reaching Hillbrow Theatre Project that offers after-school performance arts programmes to children and youth who live or attend school in Hillbrow.

This helps them build confidence or work through the challenges they have to face on a daily basis, such as xenophobia, exploitation, drug abuse and violence, to name a few. The performance highlights the plight of xenophobia by taking the audience back to the Rwandan genocide. The young and passionate cast has won numerous awards.

“We were then given historical facts about the site and went on a tour of the facilities. The new counselling centre will assist in development, debriefing, group work, awareness and migrant support for those at risk. Also offered is pre-rehab intervention which is where our relationship stems from as we often have referrals from the Hillbrow outreach project for our three-month treatment programme for substance or alcohol abuse,” says Karen, adding that Wedge Gardens only accepts South African citizens.