1.
Overview of Programmes and Services
2. Programmes offered by Empilweni
1. Overview
of Programmes and Services
Empilweni offers its services to the community of Khayelitsha
and also serves clients from other previously disadvantaged
areas. Clients consist of children and youth (both genders),
aged from 4 to 18. A parent support group is provided,
specifically aimed at unemployed mothers. Empilweni provides
individual counselling, family therapy, and therapy support
groups to children. It also offers professional psychiatric
assessment and care through a weekly psychiatric clinic.
Intervention and therapy is specialised, offering expertise
in dealing with the psychosocial problems of children.
Empilweni is staffed by Xhosa-speaking counsellors who
have been involved in the organisation since its creation.
Each of them has received specialised and accredited
training through UCT’s Department of Mental Health
and Psychiatry.
Support group therapy has proved extremely beneficial, as it presents children with a safe and warm environment to work through their feelings, and discuss life issues with peers. A set programme allows for structured exploration within a group setting. Empilweni offers individual and family therapy and involves parents as much as possible in the process. Children need to have a safe home environment, before any therapeutic intervention can be attempted. This is why Empilweni is so strongly involved in networking with other organisations that address child abuse and violence, and in advocacy and lobbying specifically around issues of gender violence. Parents and children in Khayelitsha do not have access to specialised care, which is why Empilweni provides a psychiatric clinic once a week, as. This is a crucial service, allowing medication to be prescribed to a child, where necessary, along with professional counselling.
Currently, in the course of each week, Empilweni runs five therapy support groups for children and one parent support group. Each therapy support group is made up of 10 to 15 children, keeping the groups small for closer interaction. A support group runs for 8-12 weeks and these are repeated through the course of a year. For instance, the support group working with children affected by HIV/Aids runs three times a year with 10 children in each group. Over the course of a year, about 150 – 200 children receive group therapy through Empilweni’s programmes. This figure does not include individual counselling offered to children or the parent support group, which focuses on single mothers. A peer-counselling programme is held at local schools where about 40 adolescents receive support and education over the year. On an indirect basis Empilweni affects a large number of beneficiaries through its community development programme, local radio programmes and networking. By close communication with clinics and teachers, Empilweni is educating the community about children and mental health. When Empilweni counsels a child his or her environment is also dealt with in a systemic and holistic manner. Mentally healthy children form part of a healthy family structure, which in turn forms part of an integrated community.
2. Programmes offered by Empilweni
1. Individual and family counselling
2. Support group for children affected by gender violence
3. Children’s Support Group: Working with children affected by HIV/Aids
4. Youth support groups for boys and girls with behavioural problems
5. The Parent’s Support Group
6. Psychiatric Clinic
7. Community Outreach Programme
8. Peer Support Group Programme
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