Students’ master plan to help others in need
“Looneka was established as a call for the improvement of the social conditions of students who are marginalised by poor definitions of vulnerability."
Four psychology Masters’ students from Witwatersrand University are already putting their theories into action after establishing a project to reduce the plight of their fellow students.
These caring students, Tiaan Landman, Nicaela Governden, Felicia Ramafalo and Charlotte Joja (former Miss Earth runner-up) from Roodekrans, founded a community project they call ‘Looneka’, a word taken from the Chichewa language (spoken in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia), meaning ‘to make visible’.
These student psychologists form part of the Master of Arts Community Based Counselling Psychology Programme (MACC) at the institution, a programme oriented towards critically engaging with the sociopolitical aspects of mental health; and radically advancing the mental health industry for all in the country.
“As student counselling psychologists, we align to the values of community psychology through our community and counselling work. We believe that community work is fundamental to empowering and liberating people who are socially marginalised, which inadvertently improves quality of life and mental health. Working under the supervision of Mapule Moroke, our mission is the betterment of student well-being,” Felica explained.
“Looneka was established as a call for the improvement of the social conditions of students who are marginalised by poor definitions of vulnerability.
“The project places a focus on the interaction between vulnerable students and the university environment. This vulnerability is defined by the severe lack of resources that some students face. The lack of resources infringes upon their ability to fulfill their basic needs, which often leads to poor academic outcomes. These social dynamics variously influence the intersecting nature of academic success and students’ general well-being,” she outlined.
She added, “Therefore, our aim is to bring about adjustments between the resources available and the needs of the vulnerable student population. We believe in the values of community empowerment and conscientisation”.
Charlotte also added that, “In our work, we have advocated to advance the community’s personal and political control. Our presence within various projects within the Wits community is testimony to this belief”.
She further explained that in order to bridge the gap of the socioeconomic aspects affecting the students, they appeal to businesses and organisations at large to lessen the vulnerability of these students by donating stationery and non-perishable goods which can be packaged as exam packs and donated to the needy students. “This initiative allows for the academic success of students, which develops the social and economic circumstances of the country,” she explained.
The donations they are looking for encompass exam pads or exercise books, HB pencils, erasers, black and blue pens, four-pack highlighters and clear plastic sleeves, and maize meal, peanut butter, jams, canned foods, Two-minute noodles and instant porridges.
She advised all the potential Good Samaritans (the donors) to place their donations in the designated boxes at Emthonjeni Centre Reception and Umthombo Building Reception U211 at the University.
For more information and inquiries, email Charlotte at looneka.m@gmail.com.
