Help on your doorstep

A group of trained counsellors are at your service in Khayelitsha.

Are you confused, abandoned, insecure, cornered or feel defeated?

Life Line has opened an office in Khayelitsha for residents who need support.

The non-governmental organisations said there was a growing number of people who were confused, hesitant or suffering abuse and did not know where to get help. Now the NGO is calling on the community to use its services.

Counselling co-ordinator Nomphelo Mzandisi said the organisation’s trained counsellors were available to listen, and to provide support and referrals.

“We aim to help the community from age 18 upwards. There is no need for an appointment to get help. Anyone experiencing a personal crisis can contact us,” she told Vukani.

However, she added, they do not provide drug or alcohol addiction counselling.

Ms Mzansisi said they trained 12 counsellors in Khayelitsha and assured people that any information shared with them would be kept confidential. “You now people are scared to come forward with their problems simply because they think their problems we be known everywhere. We are not that kind of an organisation. Our counsellors are trained,” she said

One of the counsellors, Nobuntu Ndabambi, also appealed to all those who have a challenges to come forward and applauded her organisation for the sterling work it does to for the communities. “I have noticed that our people lack knowledge and understanding of their health. We all have challenges but we need to speak about them. That is why we are here, we are here for them,” she said.

Ms Ndabambi said she started counselling after seeing that many people are suffering. She said townships need help from many organisations. “For our society to get right there should be a working relationship between organisations that work for the community. That is why we refer people to hospitals and other organisations. We want to spread help and knowledge,” she said. If you need help, you can contact office in Khayelitsha on 021 361 9197.

For the telephone counselling service, call 021 461 1111 between 9.30am and 10pm or you can make a WhatsApp call to 063 709 2620, between 10am and 2pm, 365 days of the year.