Sisonke Wellness Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to mental health advocacy, education, and empowerment, focusing on communities with limited access to mental health resources and support. Our primary target audience is children and youth (ages 12-23) from underprivileged backgrounds, along with their parents and educators, in townships across Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces in South Africa.
Our foundation is committed to destigmatising mental health by fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and advocating for accessible resources and support. We firmly believe that education and awareness are the cornerstones of empowerment, enabling individuals to recognise the signs of mental distress, access appropriate support, and navigate their journey towards healing and resilience.
In 2021, as the world came to a standstill and we were all confined to our homes amidst the pandemic, our founder, Khwezi Mabunda, faced a profound personal crisis. Isolated in her apartment, 10 hours away from her family and her unwell daughter, Khwezi experienced her first panic attack. Overwhelmed and unsure of what was happening, she feared for her life and the well-being of her daughter. This pivotal moment ignited a deep resolve in her to understand and address mental health challenges. Driven by the desire to raise awareness and provide education, Khwezi embarked on a mission to equip others with tools and resources to navigate life's difficulties. What began as a weekly support group for young people discussing their struggles evolved into a registered NPO two years later, following a period of realignment with our core mission. Today, we are dedicated to working with young people, parents/caregivers, teachers, schools, churches and communities, believing that by planting the seeds of resilience early, we can foster a more resilient future for all. “We believe that the mental health of mental health requires a more proactive approach than reactive to save lives and build a community of people who can support one another”, says founder, Khwezi Mabunda.
Founder
In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goal 3 (Good Health & Well-Being), we aim to be part of the global mission to reduce early deaths caused by preventable health conditions by 2030.
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