Youth programme in Delmore Gardens heads for bigger things
Kgauhelo Malesa, the head of health and wellness at ANCYL provincial task team, pledged support to Youth Breaking Barriers.
Youth Breaking Barriers recently hosted its inaugural Suicide Prevention and Youth Day in Delmore Park.
“While the event did not attract the numbers we had hoped for, the vision behind it was executed perfectly, and that alone makes my heart happy,” said organiser Terry-Ann Diergaardt.
“The journey to this event was phenomenal and sparked an even bigger idea for the future. The goal was to educate the children, and that’s what we achieved.”
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Though the event initially attracted the attention of the MEC for the Department of Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo, who was to attend, her absence due to an urgent matter disappointed the organisers.
However, a ray of hope emerged when she committed to a virtual meeting to discuss the programme and its potential impact.
In an exciting turn, Kgauhelo Malesa, the head of health and wellness at ANCYL provincial task team, pledged full support to Youth Breaking Barriers.
Diergaardt hopes Malesa’s endorsement will kick-start a Suicide Prevention and Youth Empowerment Roadshow they want to run in various communities.
“As a fairly new organisation, I have to do everything myself, from sending letters, writing proposals, making posters, and ensuring the event gets social media attention. When we received the last-minute RSVP from the MEC, I poured my heart into creating a buzz to show how vital this programme is for our children.
“While it was disheartening that she could not attend, her commitment to meeting with us gives me hope.”
This momentum is timely because October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month.
“Potentially, Youth Breaking Barriers could make a meaningful difference throughout the month with the help of the Health and Wellness Department, using the experiences from this event to elevate their efforts in mental health awareness,” said Diergaardt.
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