View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Wits Institutional Repository on DSPACE TOWARDS THE USE OF DRAMA AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL TO ENHANCE EMOTIONAL REHABILITATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/Aids: A CASE STUDY OF PARADISO HIV/Aids SUPPORT ORGANISATION BASIMENYE NABATILE MWALWANDA Supervisor: Mr. Warren Nebe Date: 13th February 2009 A research report submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Dramatic Art. Johannesburg 2009 ABSTRACT This study explores ways to address the emotional needs of people living with HIV/Aids, with specific focus on Paradiso group therapy in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study recognises that people living with HIV/Aids deal with physical as well as psychological challenges. Based on this premise, this study investigates whether the use of drama and theatre processes can enhance emotional rehabilitation for people living with HIV/Aids, and seeks to explore what drama and theatre methods would contribute towards their emotional health. The study examines Theatre for Development (TFD), a methodology that has played a critical role in addressing various HIV/Aids issues in Malawi. In the assessment, it is argued that TFD remains a relevant model but only as an awareness building strategy about HIV/Aids. This study concludes that TFD is, however, unable to help people explore, confront and express the personal traumatic experiences of living with HIV/Aids. Likewise, the investigation finds the traditional method of teaching utilised by the Paradiso group therapy inadequate in the sense that it does not acknowledge the lived experiences of people living with HIV/Aids. To this end, an integrated process-orientated drama methodology; drawing on the educational elements of process drama and the healing aspects of drama therapy is developed. The methodology was tested in a series of workshops with Paradiso group therapy members. The outcomes reveal that the approach is effective in providing a clear structure through which people can examine the trauma of stigma as a result of living with HIV/Aids. The study further reveals that an integrated process-orientated drama methodology is effective in enabling people to deconstruct negative HIV/Aids beliefs and narratives and in facilitating the reconstruction of new and functional ones that allow them to experience healing and emotional growth. ii DECLARATION I, the undersigned, hereby declare that this research report is my own work unless where appropriately acknowledged and that I have not previously submitted it at any university for a degree or examination. Name of Candidate: Basimenye Nabatile Mwalwanda Signature: Date: 13th February 2009 iii DEDICATION To my sisters Mungapashaga Julia Chagunda and Lusubilo Ruth Shaba, I am today because of your sacrifices, ndagha bana bayubo. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, my salutation goes to Jesus Christ for being my Lord and God, for seeing me through once more. Indeed, what a friend I have in you! I want to thank my supervisor Mr. Warren Nebe for the supervision, helping me to secure funding for this research project and above all, for allowing his Drama for Life dream become my dream too. I would like to extend a special thanks to GTZ Malawi for providing financial support and especially to Mr. Huzeifa Bodal for his support and making it possible for me to carry out this research in Malawi. Many thanks should also go to the entire Paradiso Team: The Executive Director, The Project Coordinator, Administrator and the marvellous Group Therapy members for allowing me to share in their lives. I couldn’t have done it without you- Zikomo Kwambiri. I am also grateful to Mr. Victor Kamanga of MANET+ for connecting me to Paradiso. Most importantly I want to thank my family for the ceaseless support and encouragement: my sisters Julia Chagunda and Ruth Shaba. Today I can say with all humility that I am because you sacrificed. To my dear mom and adventurous dad, I will forever thank you for the day you sent me to school; I cannot begin to imagine where I would be today if you decided otherwise. I would also like to recognise my love and best friend Muthi for the faith in me, for the calls, for the visits and for putting up with all my whining. You made my school year bearable. Last but not least, am indebted to my DFL scholars for their support, friendship and robust engagement with this work. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................ ii DECLARATION .................................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................... v INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY .............................................................................................................. 1 1. Background to Research Problem .............................................................................................. 1 2. Research Problem ...................................................................................................................... 2 3. Case Study .................................................................................................................................. 6 4. Theoretical Framework .............................................................................................................. 6 5. Research Methods ..................................................................................................................... 7 6. Research Phases, Data Collection and Analysis ......................................................................... 7 7. Ethical Clearance ........................................................................................................................ 9 8. Defining Key Concepts ............................................................................................................... 9 8.1. Emotional Rehabilitation and its Relevance to HIV/Aids .................................................. 9 8.2. Trauma and HIV/Aids ...................................................................................................... 10 8.3. Drama and Theatre ......................................................................................................... 11 8.4. Process Drama and Drama therapy ................................................................................ 12 9. Study Layout and Limitations ................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................................................... 15 1.0. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 15 1.1. A Historical Perspective of HIV/Aids in Malawi ................................................................... 15 1.2. Theatre for Development in Malawi: An Overview ............................................................. 18 1.3. State of Drama and Theatre Response to HIV/Aids in Malawi ............................................ 20 CHAPTER TWO ...................................................................................................................................... 28 2.0. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 28 2.1. HIV/Aids and the Individual ................................................................................................. 28 vi 2.2. Limitations of TFD in Addressing Individual, Emotional HIV/Aids Challenges..................... 32 2.3. Process Drama ..................................................................................................................... 34 2.4. Drama Therapy .................................................................................................................... 36 2.5. Jones’ and Landy’s Theoretical Models ............................................................................... 39 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 44 3.0. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 44 3.1. Organisational Context ........................................................................................................ 44 3.2. Paradiso HIV/Aids Support Organisation ............................................................................. 45 3.3. Group Therapy Formation ................................................................................................... 46 3.4. Structure of the Group Therapy Sessions ............................................................................ 48 3.5. Research Methodology ........................................................................................................ 49 3.6. Data Collection and Analysis ..............................................................................................