Body language workshop in Opuwo

Participants and trainers OYO was invited by Medicos del Mundo to train a group of support group members from the Kunene region on body language. Support groups are established in each and every district (6 for the Kunene region). They are a forum for people living with HIV and people affected by HIV to meet, discuss, learn from one another and support one another. Some groups go a step further and develop income generating activities as well as gardens. Some members from the group are openly living with HIV and give talks in their communities. Members giving talks, referred to as positive speakers, often have to stand in front of large crowds and speak to people about their experience, testing, counselling and treatment. It can be a daunting task when the crowd is large. It can even become stressful when the crowd is unfriendly. However, even with small friendly crowds, speaking in front of people require skills. While support groups members are often trained on the content of their speeches, they are hardly ever trained on how to use their body and how to use their voices. This was a new experience for OYO. It was felt that using drama training (including voice warm up and voice training, but also drama games to free the body) could benefit the group. A series of exercises were devised, to let participants realise how important the body is. Depending on how you stand or walk you portray an emotion and direct your audience towards listening to you or not. Voice projection is also very important, especially when crowds are large. The three days were fun and participants had a chance, at the end of the workshop, to present a short speech at the community centre. It was well received and one could see they had learnt much from the training. Games and activities ‘the smile and kiss’ game was very important to me. I will continue using it’ – Monica ‘I learn to stand straight when I talk to people. And I will always use my body’ – Hertha ‘I must use my body when I’m speaking and that’s the only way for people to understand me’ - Linda