RISE: SIREN CALL was held at Soetwater Environmental Education Centre near Kommetjie. Against the backdrop of the ocean, participants were grounded by the theme of water and fluidity,  flowing together as a raw and beautiful synergy of cultures, identities and complex journeys.

RISE is a participatory experience – there is no distinction between givers and receivers. Participants show up to be present and to learn from each other, it is a co-created process.

Funded and supported by Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, The RISE experience aims to cultivate a safe space where healing can begin for a community that remains so vulnerable, overlooked and in desperate need of connection

It is no secret that women and gender non-conforming people continue to face diverse challenges and intersectional inequality. RISE exists as an opportunity for honesty and empowerment through shared stories.

In both solo and group adventures to the seaside and around the campfire, RISE participants were able to playfully bond with each other outside of workshops; “Embodying trust through movement”,  “The Unsafe Journey”, Doll Making, “Victim to Survivor”,  “Making Bad Art”, Indigenous Sound Bath”, Story Sharing, “Mental Health Awareness”, “African Cooking Stories”, “Winging it: Being brave with power tools’’, ‘’Flipping your script through clowning” and “Linking cycles, wisdom and seasons”. Whether it was for downtime or an activity, the ocean gifted a space to swim, be present and reflect on the breakthroughs and challenges of a meaningful weekend together.