The Institute of Healing of Memories (IHOM) was established in 1998 and developed out of the chaplaincy work of the Trauma Centre for Victims of Violence and Torture that was conducted in partnership with the Counselling Working Group of the Religious Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The focus of the IHOM is the healing role of dealing with memory. The IHOM was conceptualized as a platform for victims of human rights abuses who could not testify before the TRC.

To this end victims, the majority of whom were active in the anti-Apartheid struggle, participate in three-day workshops geared towards personal healing and societal reconstruction.

The healing of memories workshops are modeled as parallel processes to the TRC.

Hence the records of this organisation are in the main workshops in which people could tell their stories. Because of their confidential and sensitive contents, these records are not in the public domain.

An integral component of the workshops is the creation of liturgical and artistic elements of healing such as the writing of poetry, song and prayer as well as short performances, which in themselves constitute records about the activities of the organisation.

Records that are in the public domain can be accessed from the IHOM website.

The URL is located at: info@healingofmemories.co.za

Other enquiries should be directed to Fr. Michael Lapsley at: healing@mindspring.co.za