The Friendship Bench

Have you heard of “Kufungisisa”? 🙋🏻‍♀️ 🙋‍♂️ 

Me neither! 🤷‍♀️

Do you know the word “Hushamwari”? Again, me neither? 

What do you think they mean? Are they good, bad, funny or ridiculous maybe?

You can keep reading and find out more… 

It’s a heart-warming story about friendship, community and empathy. 

In Zimbabwe, a high rate of unemployment, the trauma of war and difficulties in everyday life, often leave the people feeling despair and hopeless. Despondent people find encouragement on what is known as the “friendship bench.” Trained “community grandmothers” - elderly women who have been taught to listen to people who struggle with depression, which is known in this nation’s Shona language as “kufungisisa”, also known as “thinking too much.” Do you do that sometimes? 

New York City, London and Zanzibar are included in some of the cities that have launched The Friendship Bench Project. 

“We were thrilled to bits with the results” said a London researcher. A counsellor from New York agreed. “Before you know it, you’re not on a bench, you’re just inside a warm conversation with someone who cares.” 🤗

Dixon Chibanda is the founder of this project and one of 12 psychiatrists in a country of more than 16 million people. See #linkinbio 

As someone who struggled with mental health concerns several years back, I know from personal experience, the immeasurable value and importance of friendship, encouragement, empathy and simply being together. 

You need to be with friends, and have warm conversations and good times, especially because you’re SO done and “sick and tired” of this seemingly never-ending crappy covid situation! You need to take time to rejuvenate and feel connected. You may not have a “friendship bench” per se, although you have tables, chairs or possibly backyard benches, to gather around with your friends.

Imagine the feeling you’re sharing stories, laughing or maybe crying, or both? making memories, while being stress-free and relishing your #metime and #timewithfriends

Think of the people you will invite for a meaningful time of friendship while savouring yummy food and drinks that have been prepared and taken care of for you. 😋 🤤

“Hushamwari” - (word in the Shona dictionary) The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good will.

♥️ 💕 🤗 😃 😊 ☕️ 🍵 🫖 🍷 🥂 🍻 🍰 🧁 🍫 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹 

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