Healing Circles: Mental Wellness & Career Support for SA Youth

Our programsses are driven by the need to implement sustainable, meaningful, and impactful programs for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). We aim to move beyond short-term, box-ticking programs and offer long-lasting solutions that support youth development at a deeper level. A major gap we’ve identified lies in career guidance. Currently, most initiatives are marketing-focused, led by tertiary institutions showcasing their offerings. These efforts fail to provide real guidance or support. There is no structured, sustainable program that helps learners understand their interests, strengths, and future opportunities. Grade 9 learners often select subjects without understanding their long-term implications, and Grade 12 learners are expected to choose career paths without meaningful exposure to real industries or entrepreneurial options. In past event, we bridged this gap by inviting professionals from different industries to speak at the expo. This human connection had a major impact—young people were inspired by relatable stories and real-life journeys. With support, we aim to expand this model, integrating mentorship, industry exposure, and entrepreneurship education. The goal is to offer not just awareness, but actionable guidance. With proper funding, and non-financial support we can recruit speakers, facilitators, and mentors; develop deep, learner-centered activities; and provide real direction to learners who are ready to shape their futures. Our vision became even clearer during our first school session of 2025, where we encountered the Department of Education’s SIAS policy. Despite its strong intentions on paper, the policy has not been effectively implemented in schools. We noticed a significant gap in psychosocial support, which requires proper screening, identification, and care provided by trained professionals. So far, we’ve reached over 300 AGYW through mental health awareness sessions at two schools (Grade 9), one township church, and a STEM summit for teen girls. These sessions provided emotional relief and awareness, but the need for structured follow-up remains urgent. Our organisation aims to address both the career development and mental wellness needs of our youth by offering sustainable, high-impact programs with the right support structures and professional input.