Tree of Life is a story telling approach to counselling, developed by Ncazelo Ncube- Mlilo in collaboration with David Denborough to support traumatised, vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS. The methodology has also been used to help women, men, youth, couples and families.

“It helped me talk about who I am, where I got my strength and resilience from, drawing my tree helped me reconnect with my roots.”

The methodology is now used in mental health and psychosocial services in different parts of the world, including countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Russia and South Africa.

Through this art and storytelling, Tree of Life therapy helps one focus on the positives of their life, which gives them hope, encouragement and support through difficult times of trying to tackle problems, difficulties and challenges that life throws at us.

“I am now able to talk about my challenges. The Tree of Life has helped me come to terms with the fact that we all have challengers in life, some are harder than others, but I have realised that these challengers are also my strengths.”

Since 2006, when Ncazelo Ncube pioneered the therapy, many people around the world have been touched and healed by it, finding a way to overcome the effects of trauma, loss and bereavement, violence and abuse affecting their lives.

However, while Tree of Life has been growing around the world, the work in South Africa has experienced significant setbacks, including limited resources and funding for mental health projects.

This situation is undermining the work of the organization, Phola, an organisation started by Ncazelo in 2016. Phola provides mental health and psychosocial services to disadvantaged communities in South Africa, including vulnerable children and women.

Phola needs to survive, and with your help we can touch more lives.

Let’s come together to help others find their purpose in life. Phola is appealing for your help to support our activities and to spread the word to others who either use, have benefited from or believe in the Tree of Life therapy/ methodology.

In South Africa, it costs approximately $50 to provide an individual with a full 8 hours experience of the Tree of Life methodology. That means that if 500 friends were to donate $50 USD this Christmas we would be able to fund 500 trees of life! You can make this happen!

Thank you for being with us in rebuilding our forests back in South Africa!