Learning Objectives:

• To promote awareness of our interdependence on each other and the environment
• To enhance a critical understanding of the interconnectedness of people, resources and public policy
• To encourage collaboration and collective efforts to reduce HIV stigma and advance social justice

Materials: Pens, Worksheet 2.8.1 – Three Things I Did Today

Time Required: 30 Minutes

Activities & Instructions

Instructions to Participants:

1. Facilitator provides each participant with Worksheet 2.8.1 and says, “The next activity we are going to do is called Three Things I Did Today. We invite you to take a couple of minutes to write down three ordinary things that you have done today. They can be simple things like brushing your hair, or eating breakfast.” (Pause.)
2. Co-facilitator distributes Worksheet 2.8.1.
3. Facilitator continues, “Now we invite you to reflect on and identify the conditions, materials/resources, people and public policies that are involved to enable you to do this. You have 5 minutes to do this.” (Facilitator keeps time)”
4. After participants have completed their worksheet, Facilitator continues, “We now invite you to share some of your answers.”
5. Co-Facilitator uses Flipchart to record participants’ sharing using 4 columns – people, materials/resources, policies involved, infrastructures, etc.

Debriefing Questions:

What have you learned from this exercise?

Key Summary Points:

• Many of us have been socialized to “think” that we are independent beings.
• In fact, “independence” has been promoted as a personal strength.
• When we recognize our interdependence and interconnectedness, we are better enable to see that:
  • our individual action and non-action contribute not only to our own happiness and suffering but also to those of others;
  • we are not alone, and we can seek each other’s support in addressing our challenges; and
  • we can work together towards reducing stigma, and promoting social justice and equity.

Source:

Wong, J. P. (2011). Understanding Interbeing: Socio-ecological Approaches in Health Promotion. Lecture in Community Health Nursing, Ryerson University (unpublished).

Worksheet 2.8.1 – Three Things I Did Today

Part 1

Write down three ordinary things you did today; e.g. – a walk, a shower, etc.

Part 2

1. Consider: What conditions and resources are needed for you to be able to do the above? Think about people, materials, policies, infrastructure, etc.

   For Example: “I drank a cup of tea.”

   • To have a cup of tea, I need tea, hot water, and a mug.
   • What is needed to produce tea? Who is involved in the production of tea and distribution of tea?
   • Where does water come from? Who is involved in distributing water?
   • What is needed to have safe drinking water?
   • What is needed to boil water?

    

2. Pick one of the three things you have identified above:

Write down

• What is needed?

• Who is involved?

• What kind of public policy is involved or needed?

• What kind of infrastructure is needed?