MY WISH TO OPEN THE PERSPECTIVE OF MENTAL HEALTH HEALING IN THE UNITED STATES....
First off thank you for visiting my campaign, there are thousands of other projects that deserve to be funded as well!
I'm Gogo Ekhaya. A Sangoma, or traditional healer of my ancestral lineage of South Africa. Before I became a healer, I had my own very personal struggles with mental health. I was diagnosed with PTSD, Chronic Depression, and Personality Disorder. I've used both Western medicine and Shamanic methods of healing to address my experiences.
After a long period of time taking psychiatric drugs, I began to search a for a more holistic and natural approach to my recovery. The medications had taken a toll on my body and spirit, plus I wasn't feeling better after being over medicated, feeling lethargic, and living in a fog.
You may have heard of my journey of healing from mental illness through the amazing upcoming featured film CrazyWise, Watch a glimpse of my story
That campaign inspired me to say "If they can do it, I can do it!" So why am I raising money for the HEALING MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT? Through my recovery of depression, suicdal ideation, hearing violent voices, and experiences of other ultra sensitivities I discovered that I was indeed gifted by my ancestors to become a healer. The healing process was not easy, however I found the stength to persevere because I knew this "calling to heal" was my true purpose. I discovered many beautiful gifts about my self and others during this process and many test of my trust, faith, integrity and endurance. One huge test that came foward was when I was planning to go to South Africa for my graduation to become a Sangoma.
GIVING BACK!
So as I receive these gifts, the theme for me is how can I give back to those suffering but don't know where to turn? And the answer came quickly and in such a powerful way. If you are contributing to this project, for every $1000. raised the funds will sponsor a person suffering from mental health struggles to experience the healing journey beyond Western medicine. 16 people will receive Shamanic Healing sessions that normally would not be exposed to these methods due to low income, joblessness, or other unfortunate circumstances. Your contributions can change a life, like mine has through these ancient healing practices. You will be updated on each persons journey and progress through this program on my website blog.
Going to South Africa...Research + Healing
One reason is that I've been selected to write for the upcoming book "Women & Psychosis" that will be apart of a text book series from The International Society of Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis And Routledge Publishing. The book will expose college level students to innovative ideas and approaches to healing mental health struggles. My writing includes research of my South African tradition as a Sangoma and how we treat "psychosis" which is due on August 1, 2016. Therefore I will be in South Africa conducting interviews and educating myself on these ancient wisdom and practices of my ancestral lineage. I feel this project is a powerful way to bring to light the concept of mental health recovery for students wanting to work in the mental health field. And my goal of having an impact on a failing system of how we treat those suffering with mental health struggles.
Another reason is for me to work closely with the indigenous medicine. Did you know that Sangomas work with over 200 different plant medicines that heal different aspects of mental issues?
MY LIFE NOW...
My calling has completely changed my life. I work full time as a Peer Recovery Counselor for a Mental Health Treatment Team. I love what I do and the people that I serve because I see myself in their stories and can hold the space of hope and self-empowerment to those that have lost faith in their own healing. I also teach groups on recovery and mindfulness to my peers and co-workers. When I'm not in the office I work as a Sangoma conducting Ancestral Healing Cermonies for personal clients to release trauma, heal experiences of mental illness, physcial illness and bringing them closer to their divine purpose. This gives me great joy to be living out my true destiny. and I am gratful everyday that I wake to have my life, my family, and a sense of fulfillment. You can learn more about my healing work here
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
Recently a dear friend of mine offered to donate some air miles that would cover half of my flight expense to South Africa, not knowing the status of my passport. I became very emotional as she had the upmost confidence that I'd be going to visit my ancestral land with her. Not being able to go to South Africa is very difficult, let alone not traveling anywhere outside of the United States. I dream about being immursed in the cuture and traditions, smelling the land and communing with my ancestors on a even deeper level. The beautiful thing about all this is that my debt went from almost $50,000 to now $10,300. and I thank my ancestors for providing this miracle! So down to business, the money raised will be used for the following:
- Clearing my passport
- Travel to Capetown, Durban, Transkei, & Drakensburg
- Ceremonial Cost and educational supplies
- Interviews and research cost
I take my responsibility of being a tradional healer very seriously and this experience will be an educational journey. My trip will be in March, so I have only a few more weeks to raise the money. The deadline is March 1st, 2016. I am positive that my dream can come true and I will definitely be giving back to the community with the gifts I recieve. I accept any amount that you can offer from $1.00 to a big philanthropist donation. I love you already for being my sisters and brothers and will be certain to keep you updated on my journey home to SOUTH AFRICA!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!
First off thank you for visiting my campaign, there are thousands of other projects that deserve to be funded as well!
I'm Gogo Ekhaya. A Sangoma, or traditional healer of my ancestral lineage of South Africa. Before I became a healer, I had my own very personal struggles with mental health. I was diagnosed with PTSD, Chronic Depression, and Personality Disorder. I've used both Western medicine and Shamanic methods of healing to address my experiences.
After a long period of time taking psychiatric drugs, I began to search a for a more holistic and natural approach to my recovery. The medications had taken a toll on my body and spirit, plus I wasn't feeling better after being over medicated, feeling lethargic, and living in a fog.
You may have heard of my journey of healing from mental illness through the amazing upcoming featured film CrazyWise, Watch a glimpse of my story
That campaign inspired me to say "If they can do it, I can do it!" So why am I raising money for the HEALING MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT? Through my recovery of depression, suicdal ideation, hearing violent voices, and experiences of other ultra sensitivities I discovered that I was indeed gifted by my ancestors to become a healer. The healing process was not easy, however I found the stength to persevere because I knew this "calling to heal" was my true purpose. I discovered many beautiful gifts about my self and others during this process and many test of my trust, faith, integrity and endurance. One huge test that came foward was when I was planning to go to South Africa for my graduation to become a Sangoma.
GIVING BACK!
So as I receive these gifts, the theme for me is how can I give back to those suffering but don't know where to turn? And the answer came quickly and in such a powerful way. If you are contributing to this project, for every $1000. raised the funds will sponsor a person suffering from mental health struggles to experience the healing journey beyond Western medicine. 16 people will receive Shamanic Healing sessions that normally would not be exposed to these methods due to low income, joblessness, or other unfortunate circumstances. Your contributions can change a life, like mine has through these ancient healing practices. You will be updated on each persons journey and progress through this program on my website blog.
Going to South Africa...Research + Healing
One reason is that I've been selected to write for the upcoming book "Women & Psychosis" that will be apart of a text book series from The International Society of Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis And Routledge Publishing. The book will expose college level students to innovative ideas and approaches to healing mental health struggles. My writing includes research of my South African tradition as a Sangoma and how we treat "psychosis" which is due on August 1, 2016. Therefore I will be in South Africa conducting interviews and educating myself on these ancient wisdom and practices of my ancestral lineage. I feel this project is a powerful way to bring to light the concept of mental health recovery for students wanting to work in the mental health field. And my goal of having an impact on a failing system of how we treat those suffering with mental health struggles.
Another reason is for me to work closely with the indigenous medicine. Did you know that Sangomas work with over 200 different plant medicines that heal different aspects of mental issues?
MY LIFE NOW...
My calling has completely changed my life. I work full time as a Peer Recovery Counselor for a Mental Health Treatment Team. I love what I do and the people that I serve because I see myself in their stories and can hold the space of hope and self-empowerment to those that have lost faith in their own healing. I also teach groups on recovery and mindfulness to my peers and co-workers. When I'm not in the office I work as a Sangoma conducting Ancestral Healing Cermonies for personal clients to release trauma, heal experiences of mental illness, physcial illness and bringing them closer to their divine purpose. This gives me great joy to be living out my true destiny. and I am gratful everyday that I wake to have my life, my family, and a sense of fulfillment. You can learn more about my healing work here
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
Recently a dear friend of mine offered to donate some air miles that would cover half of my flight expense to South Africa, not knowing the status of my passport. I became very emotional as she had the upmost confidence that I'd be going to visit my ancestral land with her. Not being able to go to South Africa is very difficult, let alone not traveling anywhere outside of the United States. I dream about being immursed in the cuture and traditions, smelling the land and communing with my ancestors on a even deeper level. The beautiful thing about all this is that my debt went from almost $50,000 to now $10,300. and I thank my ancestors for providing this miracle! So down to business, the money raised will be used for the following:
- Clearing my passport
- Travel to Capetown, Durban, Transkei, & Drakensburg
- Ceremonial Cost and educational supplies
- Interviews and research cost
I take my responsibility of being a tradional healer very seriously and this experience will be an educational journey. My trip will be in March, so I have only a few more weeks to raise the money. The deadline is March 1st, 2016. I am positive that my dream can come true and I will definitely be giving back to the community with the gifts I recieve. I accept any amount that you can offer from $1.00 to a big philanthropist donation. I love you already for being my sisters and brothers and will be certain to keep you updated on my journey home to SOUTH AFRICA!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!
Organizer
Chiquita Montgomery
Organizer
La Mesa, CA