BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE– The Manzini Lions Club adopted a holistic approach to community wellness this weekend, pairing a vital Mental Health Awareness Campaign with a strong call for economic self reliance at the Mbutfu community.
The initiative, held under the theme “Breaking the Silence,” was a collaborative effort with Diabetes Eswatini and the Manzini Psychiatric Hospital. Its primary goal was to encourage open dialogue around mental wellness a topic often overlooked or stigmatized by providing educational talks on understanding mental health, early intervention, and the importance of seeking professional help. Experts from Manzini Psychiatric Hospital engaged residents, emphasizing the need for collective support and compassion.
In addition to the mental health sessions, the club ensured holistic care by facilitating free diabetes screening services through Diabetes Eswatini, with dozens of residents receiving valuable health advice and referrals.
Speaking at the event, Manzini Lions Club President Mr. Samy Msibi emphasized that true resilience requires more than just healthcare. He stressed the importance of promoting self reliance and entrepreneurship within communities, urging members to take the initiative to develop sustainable income-generating projects rather than depending solely on donations.
“True empowerment begins when individuals recognize their own potential to create change,” said Msibi. “We want to see communities that can sustain themselves through innovation, cooperation, and enterprise. As Lions, we are here to support that vision.”
Mr. Msibi highlighted that the club’s approach goes beyond short term assistance, focusing instead on building long term resilience through health education, skills development, and empowerment programs. The event successfully upheld the Lions Club’s motto, “We Serve,” by advancing health, education, and social well being in the Mbutfu community.
The initiative successfully demonstrated that the Lions Club’s approach to community service goes beyond short term assistance. By integrating mental and physical health checks with a drive for sustainable income generation, the club reinforced its motto, “We Serve,” focusing on building long term resilience through health education, skills development, and empowerment programs. The event at Mbutfu ultimately highlighted the necessity of linking individual well being with collective economic potential.
(Courtesy Pic)
