Thandi is a facilitator and counsellor at Mamelani. She has been trained as a health educator and lay counsellor. She has also been trained by Capacitar International as a trainer in stress release techniques. Her role is to listen, advise and support individuals and groups from poor communities. She shares essential information in the hope that it will empower people to help themselves.
"My passion is to work with people, giving them strength and hope and lifting their spirit so that they can face their challenges and be less stressed." - Thandi Blie
My name is Thandi Blie. I am the first born in my family. I have 3 sisters and one brother. God blessed me with a son and a granddaughter. I come from Alice in the Eastern Cape. I am working at Mamelani Projects as a counsellor and facilitator. We are doing our Programs with the aim of improving the health of people from our communities, especially for those facing health challenges such as Diabetes, TB, Arthritis, High Blood pressure and HIV/AIDS. To work in the field of health was my dream. I was inspired by a man from PE who I heard speaking over the radio. He was sharing his story. After he became HIV positive no one would support him, not even his friends or family. They all dumped him. I felt like I wanted to comfort him and be there for him. There was another man on TV who found out his status but his family supported him. They stood by him through thick and thin. I was so thrilled to see his story. After that program I said to myself "Please Lord Bless his family". My dream was to help those who wanted to make a change in their lives and to be there for those who felt alone. I am happy that my dream has been fulfilled here at Mamelani. Here I am doing exactly what I wished I could do. It is not always easy to work with people who are in pain, both physically and emotionally. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with no energy left, but God is on my side, empowering me and energizing me, refreshing my mind and lifting my spirit when I am down. Thank you Lord. I am looking forward to do my work.
