About Us |
|
The St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project was initiated at the insistence of the then parish Priest of the St. Clement’s Catholic Church, the late Reverend Father Michael Sibeko. Father Sibeko had observed that most of the sick people he visited in the Clermont and KwaDabeka area, and most of the funerals he conducted, were for people who had AIDS-related infections. He noticed that most of the community members who were HIV infected were amongst the poorest of the poor, unemployment and hungry. At that time, there were no support systems available to help community members. With the leadership of Father Sibeko and other influential community members, St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project was registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO 012-870) in March 2001.
Today, St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project is a passionate and dedicated non-governmental organisation that provides supportive services, including education, skills and support to families infected and affected with HIV and AIDS in Clermont and KwaDabeka townships in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa).
The Clermont and KwaDabeka area is located on the border of Pinetown/New Germany within the Central Municipal Planning Region of the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The Clermont and KwaDabeka area is home to approximately 110,000 people, housed in approximately 31,600 household at an average household size of 3.5 people per household. According to Census 2001 figures, 27% of residents are under the age of 15 years. Statistics also show that 58% of the population resident in the area are within the economically active age cohort, of which only 32% are employed. Approximately 75% of the population has not completed secondary schooling, and this aspect in all likelihood contributes to the low skill levels within the area. As a result of the low skills base, 43% of households earn year less than R19,200 per annum or R1,600 per month (Source: eThekwini Municipality, 2010).
The main challenges faced by community members is a high rate of HIV infection and other opportunistic infections, as well as unemployment resulting in extreme poverty and hunger. We also observe a high rate of illegitimacy and increasing numbers of orphan and vulnerable children (OVC), including child- and granny-headed households. Maternal grandmothers are mostly affected as they take the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren orphaned following the death of their parents. There is also an inability to access much needed grants due to ignorance and/or the lack of relevant documents (e.g., birth certificates, identity documents and/or death certificates). Other challenges are ignorance about HIV and AIDS and infection control measures, as well as a lack of transport to local health services such as clinics, hospitals or hospice for bed-ridden patients who were previously transported on wheelbarrows, or carried on the backs of relatives.
In order to address these challenges, St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project is currently implementing four key programmes targeting the most vulnerable community members, and in particular those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and other opportunistic infections. Our caregivers conduct home visits to community members who have reported their HIV status, and bedridden patients are transported to local health services. We provide food parcels to vulnerable community members, and our meals on wheels bakkies go through the community delivering meals to poor and hungry community members. St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project assists OVC with their school needs by providing school uniforms and assisting with school registration fees, as well as their social needs by referring them to service providers. When funding is permitting, we offer career guidance and computer skills training to young people from nearby schools, and we organise HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns for community members.
Today, St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project is a passionate and dedicated non-governmental organisation that provides supportive services, including education, skills and support to families infected and affected with HIV and AIDS in Clermont and KwaDabeka townships in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa).
The Clermont and KwaDabeka area is located on the border of Pinetown/New Germany within the Central Municipal Planning Region of the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The Clermont and KwaDabeka area is home to approximately 110,000 people, housed in approximately 31,600 household at an average household size of 3.5 people per household. According to Census 2001 figures, 27% of residents are under the age of 15 years. Statistics also show that 58% of the population resident in the area are within the economically active age cohort, of which only 32% are employed. Approximately 75% of the population has not completed secondary schooling, and this aspect in all likelihood contributes to the low skill levels within the area. As a result of the low skills base, 43% of households earn year less than R19,200 per annum or R1,600 per month (Source: eThekwini Municipality, 2010).
The main challenges faced by community members is a high rate of HIV infection and other opportunistic infections, as well as unemployment resulting in extreme poverty and hunger. We also observe a high rate of illegitimacy and increasing numbers of orphan and vulnerable children (OVC), including child- and granny-headed households. Maternal grandmothers are mostly affected as they take the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren orphaned following the death of their parents. There is also an inability to access much needed grants due to ignorance and/or the lack of relevant documents (e.g., birth certificates, identity documents and/or death certificates). Other challenges are ignorance about HIV and AIDS and infection control measures, as well as a lack of transport to local health services such as clinics, hospitals or hospice for bed-ridden patients who were previously transported on wheelbarrows, or carried on the backs of relatives.
In order to address these challenges, St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project is currently implementing four key programmes targeting the most vulnerable community members, and in particular those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and other opportunistic infections. Our caregivers conduct home visits to community members who have reported their HIV status, and bedridden patients are transported to local health services. We provide food parcels to vulnerable community members, and our meals on wheels bakkies go through the community delivering meals to poor and hungry community members. St. Clement’s Home-Based Care Project assists OVC with their school needs by providing school uniforms and assisting with school registration fees, as well as their social needs by referring them to service providers. When funding is permitting, we offer career guidance and computer skills training to young people from nearby schools, and we organise HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns for community members.
Vision
A sustainable organisation that contributes to the improved well-being of HIV infected and affected families.
Mission
St Clement’s Home-Based Care Project exists to provide supportive services to vulnerable families, especially those that are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and other opportunistic infections.
Strategic Approach
We aim to achieve our Vision and Mission by:
- Conducting home visits to families infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and other opportunistic infections.
- Supporting OVC by providing school uniforms, food parcels and referring them to relevant services providers.
- Distributing food parcels and meals to identified vulnerable families infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
- Training volunteers from the community on home-based care, basic counselling and communication skills.
- Educating families on the importance of infection control, pain relief and general patient care.
- Organising AIDS Awareness campaigns in the community.
- Offering career guidance for young people, especially high school learners.
- Promoting self-help projects and skills development to reduce dependency and vulnerability.
Core Values
Our work is guided by the following core values:
- Caring
- Passion
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Leadership