EmaLenna Foundation becomes the hope of the community
EmaLenna was established with the aim to be the face of depression in black communities.
Great leadership is not about control or title, it is about helping people and making sure that people’s needs are taken care of. A great leader leads by example and points the right way for the people. Neo Selebano from Dobsonville has proven herself to be a great leader when she established the EmaLenna foundation in March 2019.
EmaLenna was established with the aim to be the face of depression in black communities. It is more of an awareness NPO to show that depression is real and can be defeated.
“EmaLenna foundation was born after I was diagnosed with depression. I noticed how misunderstood mental illness was and taboo.”
“So, I opened my own NPO to create more awareness on depression,” said Selebano.
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They target each and everyone in the communities who are diagnosed and affected by depression and people who want to learn more about mental illness and how to fight it.
Selebano mentioned that she works with her sister who handles most of the foundation’s admin. EmaLenna is currently sponsored by Rise Against Hunger, Albany which supplies bread daily so they can be able to serve the community. Ubuntu foods also helps by providing food essentials. Chefs with Compassion and Disoufeng cares powered their soup kitchen.
It is said that challenges are opportunities perfectly disguised at obstacles. Selebano stated that she has experienced and is till experiencing challenges. She explained that not having her own office space is one of the obstacles.
“My challenge is not having office space to host my support group sessions. Having my own space will ensure that people have a safe heaven when overwhelmed by anxiety,” said Selebano.
Although there are challenges that she faces, she explained that she is motivated to keep pushing because she does not want to be haunted by the ghosts of what if.
“EmaLenna pushes me because I believe that I should be the change I want to see.”
She continued to state that she would not have made it without her circle of friends, WhatsApp contacts and her Facebook friends.
During these trying times, a lot of people in society are going through a lot of struggles. A lot are out of jobs and are unable to get essential items for themselves. Selebano elucidated that the global pandemic, COVID-19 has introduced more campaigns for her NPO namely, pads drive, R100 food parcels, feeding scheme, old clothes campaign to name a few.
“My pads campaign helps about 60 girls on a monthly basis with sanitary pads. I launched the R100 food parcels campaign to feed 100 families during the lockdown and the Feedathon Thursdays whereby we feed about 300 children in skwatta camps with Ithemba Recovery Foundation.”
She continued to say that her challenge during the lockdown is when people ask her for help, and she cannot assist.
Going forward, Selebano plans to put green on the Soweto map so when people see green, they must know it symbolises mental illness awareness and create a safe space for people.
“My long-term goal is to have my own EmaLenna land where I can setup a safe house and host weekend retreats for people diagnosed with depression and anxiety.”
“Also run a soup kitchen for the less fortunate people in our society’” continued Selebano.
She has stated that she manages to stay relevant and makes more people aware of EmaLenna by always posting her campaigns on her Facebook account, Neo EmaLenna Selebano. She also explained that she is always wearing her brand clothes.
“EmaLenna, stand by me as I save myself.”
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