Empilweni was introduced to Khayelitsha in 1994. It started with research in the community. I was there from the start and later recruited Zanyiwe, Pretty and Noncedo. We were all trained as mental health workers, and to be knowledgeable about mental health issues. What I learned from Empilweni is that everybody who is really concerned about human beings must realise that every person is unique and needs to be treated as such. So in my assessment of clients I explored each one’s psychosocial development and then used my knowledge to understand their mental health issues and help improve their lives
Priscilla Baleni, 2018