A one day training event on Aug. 5 based on The Sponsor’s 12 Step Manual was an excellent session. Taking part, with twenty five participants, were DAFAREC, a faith based rehab (headed by Emmanuel). We got through much of Step One. Pastor Richard Armah was the main facilitator; the participants were highly interested, their education levels largely high.
For the past two months, DAFAREC has been mainly using The Recovery Book as their curriculum but have agreed to equally use the Sponsor manuals. Emmanuel says that he wants to make use of the “Zone System” for their clients; he also wants to establish a “half-way house” where some clients could take up residence and facilitate at the rehab. Their longer term plan is to establish additional centers in Ghana which combine their faith based approach with the 12-steps. The 25 from DARFAREC came to Oyarifa in their new bus that was recently donated to them.
The developing relationship with DAFAREC is a good example, as is the House of St. Francis and the Ankaful 12-Step Rehab, of Recovery Africa and the Hopeful Way Foundation assisting Ghanaian initiatives.
Emmanuel at DAFAREC has written this eloquent update on their use of the Sponsor's 12 Step Manuals. Thank you.
DAFAREC REPORT OF THE SPONSOR’S 12 STEP MANUAL – WORKBOOK EDITION BY JOHN ELFORD - This manual has comprehensively enhanced our ability at Dafarec to study and grasp the AA Programme. To work the 12 steps in a practical method that is making profound impact. It makes the application of the steps simpler. As you think through and answer the questions in the manual, in your own words the effect is positively engraved in one’s memory. Other benefits are itemized as follows;
1. By using the concept of education theory to teach the 12 steps, he adds colour to the at times blur picture of the 12 steps of interest is BS Bloom’s theory the six levels of learning Remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating. This theory has enabled us to self appraise and look deep into ourselves as we work the steps than work alone by making it interesting, exciting and interactive.
2. We have worked the 12 steps previously without necessarily reading through the big book this manual made it necessary we read through the big book because some of the answers are in the book and this have helped greatly to increase knowledge and understanding of recovery principles.
3. As we study this manual in a group we share in the wealth of our peer’s experiences, this broadens one’s perspective in recovery.
4. Hence there is no recovery jacket that fits all as we personally take on the questions as you understand them. It aids self discovery, helps you identify what is apart for you, it enables you to see recovery through your own lens without prejudice or illusions.
5. To achieve maximum result with this manual each participant in the group should have a copy of this classic manual we have barely 5 copies considering our number we humbly plea if we can be helped with 10 copies though not enough we can at least have it in pairs.
The effort made by John Elford in this manual is quiet commendable. It is indeed a good help and guide in understanding the 12 steps and the AA Program. The blind can make some movement without the cane though restricted. He can do some form of study without the braile machine though not far reaching. Based on this analogy I will call the 12 steps manual by John Elford the Cain and the braile machine needed. For working the 12 steps and the understanding of the AA Program without limits or bottlenecks it clears the path.