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Home-Based Care |
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Orphan Care |
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Other Services |
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How You Can Help |
SMALL BEGINNINGS The ministry started when the Anglican Church, St. John the Divine, based in Randfontein on the West Rand, Gauteng, South Africa, asked a member of the congregation (Sister Pam) to attend an AIDS 'trainer of trainers' course, as more and more people were turning to the church for assistance in dealing with the trauma of HIV and AIDS.  Sister Pam completed the course and began caring for a number of patients in Toekomsrus, a township bordering Randfontein. Word spread and soon she was asked to train others who could care for the sick. Before long, caregivers in other townships and the rural areas got to hear about Sister Pam’s training and so the ministry grew. |
HOME-BASED CARE & VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING & TESTING FOR HIV
South Africa has one of the highest rates of people living with HIV in the world and the Home-Based Care (HBC) team encounters numerous difficulties that hamper their progress in providing care to Carryou patients. One of the biggest hurdles is the stigma of HIV/AIDS - people are afraid to be tested for HIV until it is late to treat the condition.
Carryou Ministry’s Home-Based Care Programme currently has three full time staffers and 36 caregivers who conduct hundreds of visits monthly, care for 120 patients and assist the general public. There is also a VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing ) Coordinator of 15 VCT Counsellors who consult at four municipal clinics. These are dedicated caring people who are trained to care for the terminally ill, especially those infected with HIV. Caregivers and counselors inform communities about prevention of infection and monitor treatment for HIV and TB.
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“The HIV pandemic is one of the most significant health crises facing our country today. It has become central to the lives of South Africans and we at Carryou feel we are only touching the surface with the care and support we give. In caring for people living with HIV & AIDS we come across many complex challenges on a daily basis. We often have to adjust our initiatives in order to holistically respond to the pandemic and effectively serve our communities. We continue to develop the expertise and knowledge of our health care providers. It’s important to have an in-depth comprehension of social, spiritual and psychological needs of the communities we serve.” - Home-Based Care Project Manager: Mzi Tshikitsha.
HBC Project objectives:
• Bed-bath patients & clean nails
• Feed patients
• Teach family to feed & bath patient
• Teach family to turn patient every two hours to prevent bed sores
• Teach family to massage patient to improve blood circulation
• Monitor medication for HIV/AIDS and TB patients (DOTS)
• Counsel family and patients
• Referrals to clinics
• Assist with Memory Boxes
• Create awareness
• Help apply for ID documents
According to the Project Manager, Mzi Tshikitsha, patients have reported fewer bed-sores and cooperation from family members has improved dramatically over the past few years. The Badirile Clinic has given Carryou caregivers accreditation to start administering ARVs and a good referral system with the clinics and hospitals has been established.
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| Members of Carryou's Management and Executive Committee visit a home-based care patient. |
Caregiver, Johanna Mogale (left) counsels a young patient who lives in an informal settlement. |
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| Many patients live in informal settlements |
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