As a HowickVillage.co.za staffer I was privileged to be invited to spend a few hours with Ethembeni in Mpophomeni last week. For those of you that are not aware Ethembeni is a NGO working to educate, and care for those in the Mpophomeni area who are sick and vulnerable whether adults or children affected or infected by HIV & AIDS.
I was introduced to two gentlemen in the Residential Care Centre with AIDS who have a safe and warm place to stay, a nursing sister looking over them and ensuring the appropriate medications is given, nutritious food and knowing there are people who care. A volunteer doctor attends the centre and along with the onsite team monitor the care of the residents. I heard wonderful stories of residents who had been so unwell they could not stand to now being successful working members of the Howick community. The care centre also runs a weekly clinic and a home based family support programme as well as a perinatal programme
I was then welcomed to their regular Thursday morning briefing before the many volunteers and carers head out into the community to offer support; spiritual, emotional and advisory. Although cold and rainy it was an experience to warm anyone's heart.
The morning gathering started with a song – bringing goose bumps to my skin, then visitors (me, a young volunteer from England and three new volunteers from the community were personally welcomed by Grant Edkins - Director). I within minutes felt one of the team. One of the carers shared with us a reading meaningful to her from the bible – this was then translated to English. After brief notices and discussion about which teams would take which vehicles, like a well-oiled machine all volunteers and staff distributed maize and food (donated by A-Maize and Merrivale and Greendale Spar's) to each vehicle.
I was then taken to the Family Care Centre which although chaotic as undergoing some much needed renovation, was so full of love I was quite overcome. At this home the team of 14 look after upto 80 children each day, make sure they have a healthy meal, get to and from school safely and are sent home with sandwiches for dinner. The children attending this centre are from teenage headed households. The teenagers drop the little ones off at the centre on their way to school, go to the centre for lunch after school, do their home work, work on computers and then they all go home with sandwiches. The rooms were being tiled and painted to make them safe for the children, a new bathroom fitted so that there are enough ablutions to comply with health and safety regulations. Due to this upheaval there were beautiful youngsters gathered in the makeshift kitchen, they kitchen was filled with children exchanging high fives, tickles and laughter while the older children were singing, braiding hair and chatting in a room partitioned off from the building. I am sure once complete, all will be so thrilled. The babes will have a separate sleeping area while the older children have somewhere to study, do homework and receive computer lessons weekly.
I could go on about the wonders of this organisation for pages but perhaps I will leave you wanting to hear more about the community outreach, AIDS and HIV education, work readiness programme, opportunities for volunteers, support with childcare for families affected by HIV/AIDS.
If ever a time comes when we remember where we have come from as a country, this is an organisation that shows us white, black, young or old we all have a role to play and can make our wonderful country stronger one step at a time. I was reminded that just 20 years ago a gathering of song, prayer and support of all colours and creeds was illegal – we should be so proud of what we have achieved and challenged by what we can add to our future on a personal level as well as on a national level. Thank you Madiba for making this possible and thank you to Grant, his team and the local community for making it happen.