“Ingqondo ephilileyo, Umphefumlo owonwabileyo, Umzimba osemandleni” this is taken from a poster made by a 15 year old client of Empilweni and it translates as follows: A healthy mind, a happy soul, energised body.
This young girl continues to write about the importance of emotions and feelings of children and how these need to be respected. Studies have shown that children with mental/emotional health problems, if left untreated by a mental health professional, will likely grow up and repeat these same behaviours with their children. It was twenty years ago when a research team, from the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town, conducted an epidemiological study in Khayelitsha. The study results lead to the establishment of Empilweni in 1994 with the goal to improve the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families in the community by providing culturally appropriate, child-centred, community-based mental health support and counselling. In 2015 the organisation stands at the forefront as an advocate for child and adolescent mental health in Khayelitsha. Empilweni is again currently the only service of its kind to provide clinically supervised counselling in isiXhosa. This year as part of Empilweni’s 21st Anniversary fundraising effort we are appealing to the generosity of individuals to assist us in continuing our vital work for our children and their families. Every donation – large or small – is vital to help us achieve our target.