Archive for the ‘Khayelitsha’ Category

We recently held our first ever Trauma Workshop, where the mental health fraternity gathered to discuss ways to support those affected by trauma in the Khayelitsha community, in Cape Town.

Delegates as far afield as the United States participated in our first Trauma Workshop.

Delegates as far afield as the United States participated in our first Trauma Workshop.Many living in the area are not aware that they may suffer from post-traumatic stress. Trauma is often caused by violence, protest action, crime, intimidation, and partly because of our violent history.

At the workshop, roleplayers from non-governmental organisations working in the area, the Western Cape Department of Health, and other experts, including Dr Desmond Kaplan from the United States, brainstormed ways to provide a better service to the community.

We examined the need to form a network in the area, develop a referral system for clients, and to equip community-based workers – the first point of contact with the community – with the training needed to detect trauma. In addition to this, workshop participants also recognised that those working with trauma (staff as well as carers) could be traumatised themselves and in need of counselling.

Christelle Cornelius, Programme Head of Health and Seniors at Ikamva Labantu, said that many people were not aware that they could be experiencing post-traumatic stress. “We have recognised the need for carers to be cared for. If that does not happen, how will they provide the best care for the children they are taking care of?”

Going forward, a steering committee will look at the impact substance abuse has on the mental health of communities. It will also look into the needs of the intellectually disabled.

Friday 2 December 2011 saw the launch of Ikamva Labantu’s Enkululekweni Wellness Centre in Khayelitsha – a momentous day that represents our vision to promote a better quality of life, and help reduce the burden of illness and disease  in township communities.

A new concept in community health management, the Centre acts as a hub for our Health & Nutrition Unit, which focuses on empowering communities to embrace preventative health, as opposed to struggling with avoidable chronic and acute health problems. We will achieve this through partnerships with the Department of Health, other non-profits and associations.

We were honored to hear from a range of speakers about the value and role that the centre is expected to play.  The importance of partnerships, and the contribution to broader development of the local community and infrastructure, was a recurring theme in the keynote address from our Protector, Maria Ramos, and the addresses by Mr Michael Benu (Chair of the Khayelitsha Development Forum), local Ward Councillor, Mr Patrick Mnqxuyeni and Mrs Nocawe Mankayi (Noceba Centre).

In addition, the vital role of wellness as a means to improve quality of life and free up the public health service was highlighted by Dr Keith Wimble, Head of the Health & Nutrition Unit at Ikamva Labantu, Dr Virginia Azevedo (City Health Manager for Khayelitsha) and Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille.

The opening of the centre is set to pave the way to a healthier way of life for our communities. Working with specialists and partners in areas like eye care, mental health, child health, and HIV and AIDS counseling, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Read our original press release, or for more details, photo’s and a video clip on the day’s activities, view this report from SuperNews.

More than 90% of senior citizens in townships live on Government old age grants. They are increasingly becoming sole breadwinners, second-generation parents and the core of the township family structure. Many elderly live in abject poverty and have the added pressure of being economically responsible for those in their care.

We assist over 540 vulnerable elderly through our 17 seniors clubs where daily programmes include social activities, health monitoring, balanced daily meals and income generating projects. In addition, we assist seniors to care for their orphaned grandchildren. Here is what some of them had to say about their experience of our seniors clubs:

Eleanor Luwaca (71), Nombasa Senior Club, Gugulethu

Why do you attend the seniors club?

I was alone at home, my children were at work and I felt that I need to be with other people and I heard about this club and then decided to be part of other senior members.

What is the best part of the programme for you?

I love knitting and before I came here I could not even hold a knitting needle but now I am the best.  I do teddy bears and baby blankets.  I am also part of the exercise and Relate programs.

How has attending the club changed your life?

My life has changed, I used to have stress but now I am a happy person.  I communicate with other members.  I love my club and I also tell others about Ikamva Labantu.  I cannot stay at home, I feel very lonely even for one day I am not in the club.

George Ruka (71), Masimanyane Senior Club, Khayelitsha,

Why do you attend the seniors club?

I was doing nothing at home and I saw people attending the club and I was also interested.

What is the best part of the programme for you?

Gardening and sport.  I want to be busy all the time and exercise.  I am fit because I am not just sitting and doing nothing.   I am planting vegetables in the garden and I am always working in the garden.  My club cooks fresh vegetables.

How has attending the club changed your life?

I am healthy and fit still, no stress.  Before I joined the club I was very lonely and stressed.

Thelma Mdivasi (76), Noluthando 1 Senior Club, Nyanga

Why do you attend the seniors club?

I was lonely at home, I wanted companionship and to meet different people from different backgrounds, to share our problems, to help one another and I also wanted to age actively.

What is the best part of the programme for you?

Music, I like to sing and I also teach members to sing.  Craft and beading.  When I started at the club I could not bead but now I have been taught how to bead and I am earning money.

How has attending the club changed your life?

I am now very happy, no more stress because I share all my problems with the others.  I cannot stay at home I always want to come to the club.  I enjoy each and every day.  We also go for outings and we all enjoy going out.

Helen Lieberman at the opening of the new ECD centre in Khayelitsha

Ikamva Labantu’s flagship ECD project – the opening of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Khayelitsha – is finally nearing completion and due to open formally soon. The aim of the centre is to provide ECD practitioners with a holistic teaching and learning experience, providing assistance in the form of lectures and hands-on practical training.

Barbara Stemmert, head of Ikamva Labantu’s ECD programme, explains: “Many of our educare practitioners have struggled to implement their learnings in a practical environment, and so the idea of this new ECD centre was born. It provides an unprecedented chance for these practitioners to acquire their learning within an actual Educare environment, and apply their skills practically throughout the course of their training.”

The centre has a number of lecture rooms, as well as classrooms boasting large windows for observation purposes. Both untrained practitioners and those who have previously received training will participate in a ten-month course, designed to enable them to apply their learning on site. Community-based workers are also currently undergoing training in order to provide regular support within the Educare environment.

“One of Ikamva’s biggest priorities is assisting in early childhood development, and the new centre will help us to equip a greater number of Educare practitioners, whilst ensuring that their training is practically applicable in order to offer a better education for learners,” Stemmert concluded.