Lefika La Phodiso - Community Art Counselling & Training Institute

29/09/2025

VOLUNTEER TRAINING AT LEFIKA LA PHODISO
Our sustainability is dependent on both funding and volunteers. The volunteers play a pivotal role in our organisation. Due to the therapeutic nature of our work, we ensure that all our volunteers are trained and supervised. Anyone can volunteer on our programmes, regardless of training. The volunteer training is free of charge and offers insight into the way we work at Lefika and the tasks and requirements of a volunteer.
WHEN: Saturday 11 October 2025
WHERE: Lefika La Phodiso, 2nd Floor, Children’s Memorial Institute
TIME: 9:00–13:30
COST: FREE
Book with training@lefikalaphodiso.co.za

25/09/2025

We've had the privilege of working closely with the UJ Art Therapy department since its inception in 2020. Our founding director, Dr Hayley Berman, managing director, Rozanne Myburgh, former colleague Kate Shand as well as supervisor Kamal Naran teaches on the programme. We also host interns from the programme in our after-school programme and low cost clinic. If you are interested in becoming an art therapist, this is the course for you!

BA HONS ART THERAPY 2026 APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy uses art materials, processes and creations as the catalyst for therapeutic growth in clients.
The modality is founded on psychodynamic principles and is used in many contexts to promote healing and wellness.
Minimum Admission Requirements for BA Hons Art Therapy:
Appropriate Bachelor’s Degree
Minimum of 2 years of Psychology credits
Experience with using art in community contexts
Portfolio of own artwork
Letter of motivation
More info about UJ's art therapy programme: https://www.uj.ac.za/universit.../ba-honours-in-art-therapy/
Link to apply: https://www.uj.ac.za/admissions-aid/

08/09/2025

Our feeding programme supports between 60-80 inner-city children every afternoon but our pantry is running low!

How can you help today:
Donate: Even R50 can make a difference
Drop off: Non-perishables at Lefika La Phodiso at the Children’s Memorial Institute
Ask for a collection: Contact us on 065 094 2152

Section 18A certificate available. Visit www.lefikalaphodiso.ca.za for more info.

19/08/2025

The power of little things

Today, the 9-11-year-olds explored the concept of safety through sensory and symbolic expression with art therapy intern, Sue-Anne Hamer. We invited the group members to reflect on how their safe spaces make them feel and translate those emotions into colours and textures. Using a variety of fabrics, they decorated the inside of their matchboxes to create a safe and contained space to represent their feelings of comfort, security, and love.

Decorating the outside of their little boxes with care and precision turned this tiny object into a powerful reminder of safety.

Although our session started with shy and reluctant check-ins, we were struck with profound reflections of love, safety, and containment at the end.

07/08/2025

Rozanne Myburgh (managing director) and Jessica Maseko (operations coordinator) had a lovely visit from Wilmi Dippenaar, the director of SAPPIN (South African Parenting Programmes Implementers Network) today. We appreciate all the support from the network for the work we are doing!

03/08/2025

Feel like a bit of creative fun? Check out these workshops on offer by trained community art counsellor, Sally Clark.

21/07/2025

Art Therapy is hosting an annual open day on Saturday 2 August.

Time: 10:00-12:00
Where: Zoom

You wouldn’t want to miss it. To register, click the link below: https://forms.gle/Zg16x55a2JDR63pE8

For more information, reach out to amaliab@uj.ac.za

17/07/2025

Visitors to the Sensory-Space will have noticed a bit of colour on the walls over the last couple of weeks on the third floor of the Children's Memorial Institute. Volunteer Now offered to repair the paint around our windows and sent some volunteers to assist. You will notice we are using the same muted pastel colour palette and building pattern approach for our children’s comfort and enjoyment. Brandon Bitros will be at the windows on the 3rd floor tomorrow with paint and brushes if anyone would like to join him for Mandela Day and a bit of chilled painting. We have chosen a rainbow 🌈 to represent our new beginnings, with flowing water and a clear way forward for the CMI! Thank you to the teams from Johannesburg Parent & Child Counselling Centre - JPCCC (Liran who got the ball rolling), and Sharon Gordon for the wall fixing, paint and volunteers, and the ongoing creative collab between Lefika La Phodiso - Community Art Counselling & Training Institute and Sensory-Space 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜