25 Oct 2023

Talking comes naturally to her and solving problems is like a calling that she answered from a very young age.

Shy does not describe her. She is bubbly and energetic, kind and above all, self-driven and ambitious.

Kelly, as she is affectionately known, speaks to one issue after another because she is not oblivious to the problems bedeviling communities and the world.

She is vocal about issues of mental health as she is an advocate for patients, care givers and communities. Realizing her potential and ability to talk to people, Ms Kelebogile Mbaiwa, nee Morake then studied Social Work at the University of Botswana.

Now, she is a counsellor of repute and organizations such as the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) have approached her to assist their clients and claimants to deal with their loss.

She also volunteers her services to the Gaborone District Commissioner’s office as a marriage counsellor and arbitrator.

As a mental health professional, she helps people resolve their issues and equips them with knowledge to deal with them.

In her motivational talks, she cites Australian-American limbless motivational speaker, Nick Vujicic as a typical image of human inner strength.

She talks such that people would look over their problems to accept, deal with and get over their loss.

Kelly articulates solutions to such people that they come to terms with the road that may be winding while assuring them that arrival and comfort is theirs to claim.

As a counsellor, she uses real life situations to show the light at the end of the tunnel to those who need help.

Her sense of sympathy is driven by the challenges she has gone through as a teenager.

In her demonstration of her in-depth knowledge of her trade, she clarifies some issues that people normally question.

“Usually when we get into relationships, we look for someone and paint a picture of what you did not get from mommy or daddy.

Getting what you missed, you relax and unfortunately challenges come.

Change occurs, creating rough patches in our relationships,” she bemoans.

She explains that people mostly think and make decisions based on what they feel.

 “As human beings, we are selfish by nature. We are only looking at ourselves. Until we realize we are selfish and our motives are selfishly-driven, it requires engagement,” she asserts.

Talking about substance and drug abuse by the youth, Kelly cites incidents that anyone can relate to such as parents being too busy with the grind to notice children getting derailed, depressed and troubled.

Furthemore, she states how the situation becomes pathetic when parents realize very late when the child is almost lost.

“Because of this fast pace that we live in, we don’t have patience nor room for patience. It is really impossible to get attention of the people that care and love you who can give you positive feedback.” She says.

So, who is available to advise you? She quizzes. “It’s your friend, your peer, your neighbour or just anyone who seems sympathetic. They offer something that helps them to help you out.

You try it and you are stuck,” she elucidates.

Yet, she comes up with a possible solution, though she is aware that it may not be the best because of varying family dynamics.

“We live at a time where we are busy.  Re a hustler and work alone is not easy to sustain a human being.

O leka kaha, o leka kaha. Let’s create time batsadi. Let’s have family meetings. “ She advises.

Making sense of the importance of family meetings and their value, Kelly states that children who get to interact with parents disclose a lot and in turn, parents see character building and or emergence of new traits.

She believes that it is during such meetings that parents can curtail unruly behaviour and unwanted elements.

Furthermore, Ms Mbaiwa suggests monitoring the use of the Internet and to have systems to know what children are watching to pick some of their challenges.

On the other hand, she opines that each family should have a psychotherapist.

She decries perceptions about counselling and counsellors contrary to Setswana culture of depending on uncles to guide children.

 “We have to know that we are responsible for our lives. Therapy or counselling is not imposed. It is something that somebody walks to, comes to because they feel I need this,” she says.

Ms Mbaiwa graduated with a Master of Clinical Social Work from the University of Howard in Washington State, USA, in 2011.

She runs a clinic at the Gaborone Main Mall where she meets her clients for sessions. She is a mother, a wife and a friend to all those who need a friend. ENDS