Lesedi La Setjhaba offers psycho-social intervention
Lesedi La Setjhaba is an NPO that enhances improved relationships of individuals and families as well as empowering communities through the development and understanding the whole is greater than its parts.
“The NPO aims to assist with the needs of individuals, families and communities in South Africa who need psycho-social intervention. This includes prevention, early intervention, statutory, aftercare, rehabilitation, empowerment, educational, awareness, training and developmental services, especially to previously disadvantaged communities, taking into consideration their background, ideologies, culture and traditions,” said founder and member Puseletso Mokhosi-Matshaba.
Vision and mission
It is their vision to provide holistic psycho-social services to all individuals and families through counselling and life skills to preserve families, promote healthy relationships and healthy communities.
Lesedi La Setjhaba has seven board members, and the board is comprised of personnel with expertise in legal, psychology, financial management, social work and NPO management.
Eight dedicated employees of Lesedi La Setjhaba and various volunteers offer different services at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
Women empowerment
Women who are victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) coming to open protection orders in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court against their partners/ex-partners are assisted by:
• Applications of protection orders.
• Providing individual counselling, marriage/couple counselling and family counselling/mediation.
• Trauma debriefing/grief counselling.
• Support through telephone to resolve issues, give advice and encourage victims to finalise court proceedings.
• Providing financial support to beneficiaries who do not have transport fare to return to court and finalise court proceedings.
• Work with surrounding police stations’ domestic violence units as they refer cases that need our services.
• Disseminate information and education on GBV and related issues on local radio station Kasie FM.
Some of their challenges
“Lesedi La Setjhaba Family and Community Centre was assisted by Gender Links with this project financially for three months, starting from June until August 2020.
“Since then, the organisation has been functioning voluntarily as it saw the need and it is difficult to just abandon the good services we are providing for the victims of GBV and IPV,” said Puseletso.
“The services are of great help, especially during this period of Covid-19 where South Africa saw a high rate of gender-based violence, a situation declared another pandemic by President Ramaphosa. The organisation assists victims in court with many challenges experienced as a result of lockdown regulations.”
According to her, the organisation needs funding to continue with its services, to be able to receive salaries, stipends, laptops, transport for victims, data and airtime.
Transport is needed to be able to do home visits.
“We would like to thank Gender Links for assisting the organisation to take this project off the ground. We will appreciate any assistance which will help it to keep afloat,” said Puseletso.
Anyone who wants to help can contact Puseletso on 011 057 4840 or on 083 476 0046 or send an email to Puseletso@lesedilasetjhaba.co.za
People can also follow the NPO on its Facebook page, Lesedi La Setjhaba Family and Community Centre, or visit their website www.lesedilasetjhaba.co.za
