Breaking the silence with Mxit

MobieG, a non-profit organisation based in Ferndale is using Mxit to counsel those who need help.

The organisation counsels residents with issues such as relationships, anger, low self-esteem, addiction, abuse, suicide, homosexuality, depression and abortion.

“I was sexually molested as a young child by my grandfather who was a serial paedophile between ages 3-7,” explained Stephnie Crouse executive director of MobieG.

According to Crouse, abusers have ways of silencing victims and MobieG is trying to combat this problem through this free aid to society.

MobieG was coined in July 2010.

“Since then we have already counselled 43 000 young people,” said Crouse.

Every counsellor can handle up to 10 clients simultaneously. They help between 10-250 people per session according to Crouse.

Crouse’ grandfather began raping her siblings after she turned seven.

“Since I found out what he did I have always wanted to give everyone a voice, so that they feel safe to talk to someone if they were being abused,” she said.

All facilitators are trained by MobieG in text-based counselling techniques and they are all qualified in the fields within which they counsel.

The organisation helps those between the ages of 10 and 35.

“The fact that they [young people] can talk to MobieG anonymously is very appealing as they get real-time responses,” Crouse said.

If residents need more help MobieG refers them to other state specialists.

The organisation is dependent on donations from private individuals, companies and churches to survive.

All those that need counsel can download Mxit on their phones on www.mxit.com, go to Mxit applications, search MobieG and add the application, open MobieG and select the help they need. Counsellors are online between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm on Mondays to Thursdays and between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm on Sundays. Details: Stephnie Crouse ops@mobieg.co.za