Heal the Nation
Sister Jenny’s BE JEN-TIL, HEAL THE NATION Campaign
Sister Jenny’s BE JEN-TIL, HEAL THE NATION CAMPAIGN is a campaign that encourages society to use our hands to heal, not hurt, as a method of decreasing violence, abuse and crime in our country.
In our South African context she believes that safe and nurturing touch is capable of not only promoting a more gentle society, but also that it is a precious device to heal the wounds of our past.The abuse and pain, both physical and emotional,and the disregard for basic human rights during the horror of apartheid, encouraged many people to become angry, frusrated,agressive, violent and destructive. Peoples were tortured and abused and experienced shame and humiliation.The cruelty and terror they experienced daily created a society who had no other choice but to use violence, to put an end to the total violation of everything they held dear to them, including family life and freedom to live in safety and security without fear.
People should no longer resort to violence as a means of achieving a goal. It is our reponsibility now as people living in the new South Africa to show our children that at all times they deserve love and respect.Children need to learn to feel good by doing good. Madiba has set us a wonderful example that helping others is an uplifting ,self motivating experience,which makes people feel confindent and empowered and improves the quality of the life for all. Lets teach our children how to care, so that the horror of apartheid will near rear its ugly head again. No one should ever be made to feel left out or "not good enough" or unworthy in an manner whatsoever.Every single human being is special and unique and has a role to play in society.
JEN-TIL stands for JOYOUS, ENTHUSIASTIC, NURTURING, TOUCH, IN, LOVE.
Sister Jenny teaches people to "BE JEN-TIL" by using a unique teqnique of massage, in the form of an interactive team building workshop .Please note that this technique is done fully clothed and does not have any Sexual effects. The method she uses to allow people the experience of giving and recieving a massage causes a release of pent up emotions, and people often cry or laugh during the process. It is a fun and joyous experience and may have life changing effects, especially to people who have never experienced safe loving touch previously. Sister Jenny teaches that is not only important to use massage as a means of teaching JEN-TIL TOUCH , but it is very important to be aware of how we touch peoples lives. How to make people feel loved and cared for with our words and our actions. For every positive action, we can expect that we too, will attract like a magnet, positive experiences in our lives.
There is no danger of spreading HIV as it is not done on broken skin. This Project aims at teaching people how to touch safely.Through this teqnique of JEN-TIL Touch ,Children who unfortunately are victims of child abuse, or lack of love and compassion in the homes, can experience that touch can be safe and the calming experience of a massage done on the shoulders fully clothed,can have a powerfully positive, calming and empowering effect on the emotions .as well as teaching them to show love to their own children so the negative patterns will not continue in future generations.Children, who have only experienced abuse actually have no frame of reference how to respond lovingly to their families.
Sister Jenny conceived this project, in faith and love for human kind. Her vision is one of love, care, compassion and respect for one another with the ultimate goal of peace and tranquillity in a crime free New South- Africa. Even the most hardened criminals - as statistics have shown – had a drastic change of heart and attitude towards life, after they experienced Love and Compassion from fellow citizens” .Her mission is to promote safe non-abusive touch so as to produce a society which is accountable for their actions.
The Healing Power of Touch
The concept originally started with a natural ability Sister Jenny had since the age of three. But Sister Jenny demonstrates that each of us has the same natural gift.
Many old people in old age homes are starved of touch and affection. ’ .How does somebody relax and feel safe as an adult if they have never experienced compassion as a child?
When visiting a house of mourning or even a house where someone is ill, giving a gentle massage on the shoulders may be very effective help to ease the emotional or physical trauma or pain. Children need to become empowered by the positive sensation of doing good for others so they can be motivated to do more.
History of the campaign
The official launch took place at the Pick ‘n Pay Hyper Norwood on Thursday 22nd of October 2002.
Sister Jenny received a commendation for Sister Jenny's ,Be JEN-TIL Heal the Nation CAMPAIGN from people in the UN community .
Sister Jenny has done” BE JEN-TIL, Heal the Nation Campaigns “
in various institutions and worked with street children, Psychiatric hospital, Childrens homes , Womans Congresses and as part of debriefing sessions for the Department of Health; She also does the campaign as corporate teambuilding workshops .
Future Aim – for schools to participate in developing a program that could be used in other schools to positively re-enforce motivating children to BE JEN-TIL (GENTLE) and sustaining a lasting effect so that this could be used as a role model for schools internationally to decrease violent behaviour in schools as well as in society.
Sister Jenny, does not not claim to have all the answers but she believes that if we unite together with love in our hearts each and every one of us has the potential to make a difference to our country.
Ultimately to “BE JEN-TIL and HEAL our NATION”
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