SayPro Chief Operating Officer Clifford Legodi has taken a bold and necessary stance on an issue often overlooked in international youth exchange programs: mental health. Under his leadership, the SayPro Southern Africa Youth Project Erasmus+ Ghana Travel program is becoming a beacon of youth-centered support, where mental wellness is not treated as an afterthought but as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Youth travel can be life-changing, but it also comes with emotional and psychological challenges—especially for participants who are leaving their home countries for the first time. Feelings of anxiety, culture shock, loneliness, or even post-travel identity crises are real issues many young people face. Recognizing this, Clifford Legodi has introduced a comprehensive mental health framework into the program’s design, implementation, and follow-up stages.
Legodi believes that empowering youth begins with acknowledging their emotional realities. “We cannot expect young people to be resilient global leaders if we are not supporting their mental well-being along the journey,” he explains. To address this, SayPro now integrates trained mental health facilitators into its pre-departure orientation sessions. These facilitators help youth understand how to recognize stress signals, access support systems, and develop emotional coping strategies.
During the actual travel period in Ghana, SayPro has set up check-in protocols where youth can speak confidentially with mental health professionals or peer support leaders. Group reflection sessions and wellness activities—such as journaling, mindfulness exercises, and open dialogue circles—have become standard parts of the program. These additions help build community and normalize conversations around mental health.
Moreover, Legodi’s approach is trauma-informed. He understands that many participants come from communities affected by poverty, violence, or neglect. For them, international travel is not only a new experience but also a confrontation with personal growth and past hardships. “We have to treat youth not just as learners but as human beings—complete with histories, hopes, and emotional needs,” he says.
Post-travel reintegration support is another innovation spearheaded by Legodi. SayPro offers online counseling sessions and peer mentoring to ensure that youth returning from Ghana are not left isolated as they try to apply their new perspectives at home. This continued care has helped participants transition more smoothly, build resilience, and remain actively engaged in civic and community projects.
Clifford Legodi’s promotion of mental health in youth travel programs is now influencing best practices across the Southern Africa region. SayPro is also advocating
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