Counselling centre brings hope

THE Jes Foord Foundation Mariannhill Multi-Purpose Counselling Centre was officially opened on Abbot Frances Road, Mariannhill on Wednesday 26 March.

Jes Foord, a rape survivor and founder of the foundation, envisioned the project in 2011, and it was made possible when Michelle Smith, a Vodacom Change the World volunteer joined the foundation last year.

Smith, a registered trauma counsellor, reported that after she was elected as one of 20 skilled professionals to join the annual Vodacom Change the World programme in March 2013, she was given the opportunity to work as a resident trauma counsellor at a NPO of her choice. As an elective, Vodacom would sponsor her salary for a year and fund any projects she undertook while working at the NPO of her choice.

“I decided that I wanted to join the foundation firstly because I was inspired by Jes’s story. She is definitely an inspiration. Secondly, as a woman I felt that it was important for me to use my skills to help rape victims in their healing process. A rape occurs every 17 seconds, but we never hear of it and nothing is really being done about it, and in most cases these women can’t afford counselling,” said Smith.

The newly launched centre will provide residents with counselling on issues such as trauma, abuse and rape. Additionally, The Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust (HACT) will also offer free HIV/AIDS testing and pre and post-test counselling. “We are collaborating with other NGO’s such at Childline and the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) to provide child play therapy as well as drug and alcohol addiction counselling,” said Smith.

Nine surrounding communities in the inner western areas of Durban (Ward 12 to 17), including KwaNdengenzi, Umshinni, Marianridge and Tshelimnyama will be serviced by the centre. “The location of the centre was chosen to make it accessible to the community, as it is located between the nine areas that desperately need the counselling services and it is also in close proximity to the taxi routes,” said Smith.

Foord said, “To see something go from a vision to reality has been amazing. Hopefully it won’t be the only counselling centre we open.”

Vodacom funded the start-up capital and several other organisations also donated towards the project.