What is Motherland, Inc.?

A Community-based organization founded in 1994

An organization that conjures the image of a "mother-figure"

• A place to call home
• An environment free of the stresses and perils of street life
• A domain where personal attention, care and unconditional respect prevail

Where does Motherland, Inc. operate?

• In the Greater Houston Area and various surrounding counties and communities in Texas
• In communities with overlapping and distinct cultural practices and traditions
• In economically depressed and underserved communities
• In a major United States city with a growing number of HIV-related cases among minority populations

By focusing on prevention programs and a framework for action that predominantly features therapeutic drama

Therapeutic Drama is a powerful and effective tool because:

• it provides an emotional kick
• it increases knowledge and inspire behavioral changes by promoting personal and collective responsibility
• it confirms that the commonality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is the human factor
• the voices and the words of the participants on stage reverberate with a distinct call for awareness and understanding
• it provides an opportunity for a community-based approach to prevention
• it challenges myths, social stigma and unsubstantiated conspiratorial theories
• it confines the influence of dogma

The final drama performances include the following:

Recruitment Process: cast members (most of whom are either infected or affected by substance abuse and/or HIV/AIDS) are drawn primarily from some of the Houston-based HIV/AIDS and substance abuse residential facilities. To maintain a well-informed and dedicated cast, each of them must meet the following expectations:

• Must be infected or affected with substance abuse and/or HIV/AIDS
• Be willing to share his/her unique personal experience on being positive or story of addiction
• Volunteer to participate in the script writing process and rehearsals
• Must attend a four-day HIV educator training session (Partner Elicitation Counseling)
• Be willing to tour and perform to live audiences four to five times a month. Out of town travel (with same day return) may be involved
• Must participate in question and answer sessions with the audience
• Be willing to participate in open conversation or, if needed, counsel with members of the audience after each play
• Must participate in cast members monthly meetings
• Be willing to provide on/off site peer counseling education support group sessions (availability of a stipend)
• As a cast member, participate in a clinical drama production (availability of a stipend)‚

The Scripts : Each script is a collaborative effort

• The cast members provide their experiences on tape (later transcribed and presented as a script)
• The drama instructor avoids taking credit for the content of the script
• The cast members are not allowed to portray their own personal experiences
• The working environment eliminates the perception of a rigid, hierarchical, or asymmetrical relationship
• A strong sense of the participants' ownership of each production

Drama Performances : The plays are modified to run from 15 to 45 minutes

• To audiences drawn from churches, criminal/correctional facilities, educational institutions, business organizations, medical and health related facilities
• Evaluation process

Question and Answer Sessions : an important channel of facts and information after each drama performance

• Cast members- audience interaction
• Small group sessions with members of the audience to address transmission, awareness and prevention issues

From its inception in 1994, MotherLand, Inc. has operated as a non-profit 501(c)(3),tax-exempt organization. However, the growing reputation of MotherLand, Inc. is related to its innovative efforts to create a safe place where persons living with HIV/AIDS and STDs, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug-related problems could come to seek help. MotherLand conjures an image of a 'mother-figure' and a place called home. It cultivates an environment where an individual can go to get away from the stress and perils of street life. MotherLand, Inc. therefore represents a place where personal attention, care and unconditional respect prevail. It is an organization that is always willing to work with individuals, local communities, school systems, college and universities, and other organizations committed to the service of substance abuse and AIDS/HIV populations.

MotherLand, Inc. is a community-based organization that seeks to work with persons, especially youth, who need to break the vicious cycle of dysfunctional behavior. It is a model for interactive counseling since it values the use of creative and artistic methods to boost self-empowerment and an achievement-oriented focus in life. Victor Ndando-Ngoo, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MotherLand Inc., with a wealth of experience in substance abuse and related health care issues, envisioned establishing counseling service programs that transcended traditional interventions and preventative measures. One of MotherLand's most successful efforts was the innovative idea of establishing a state-of-the-art pilot program that united drama and counseling therapy. In March 1997, MotherLand, Inc. entered into collaboration with Shakespeare Outreach of the Drama Department of the University of Houston to facilitate the use of improvisational theater techniques as an adjunct to traditional therapeutic strategies. This relationship between drama and counseling has strengthened MotherLand's focus on therapeutic counseling.

MotherLand, Inc. involves volunteer adult recovering addicts who have experienced street life to educate impressionable young people about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and other self-destructive behavior. This program is an effective means by which recovering addicts develop a personal commitment to change. MotherLand, Inc. recognizes the importance of 'real life experiences' in building a viable mentoring program.

MotherLand, Inc. continues to grow as a dynamic and multi-faceted organization. While many treatment options have been offered since the inception of the organization, the primary efforts have consistently been directed at developing a sound practical program, especially for youth, in keeping with individual goals and societal demands and responsibilities. More recently, it has made significant strides to expand its services to African countries seriously challenged by the AIDS epidemic and substance abuse problems. MotherLand, Inc. is sensitive to the fact that it must employ strategies that reflect the prevailing cultural and social values of the target population in these countries. Its success at home in enhancing interpersonal and problem-solving skills and social and self-confidence is evidenced by the many attempts to duplicate such efforts elsewhere. MotherLand, Inc. is aware of its daunting responsibility to help individuals and communities (in Texas or Africa) to negotiate and sustain positive behavioral changes.