MaAfrika Tikkun is an NGO working at grassroots level in townships to train, equip and mobilise local community volunteers to deliver basic health, education and psycho-social support in their own communities. These Home Based Caregivers in particular focus on family and children’s needs when facing the devastation of HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of the training course is to empower people within communities to provide healthcare and assistance to the families in need and the orphans and vulnerable children of the Diepsloot community

The caregivers will assist with the provision of nutritious meals to the vulnerable children and/or their parents as well as assisting them with basic first aid and hygiene services,  escorting patients to healthcare facilities and performing household chores when required. They will also monitor the children’s school performance as well as refer them to relevant government institutions and support groups and provide feedback to MaAfrika Tikkun.

At the ceremony, Sara Makgale, MaAfrika Tikkun’s Diepsloot social worker, was the MC. In between the various speakers, Makgale had inspirational messages to communicate to the caregivers and audience such as, “You have to work hard to achieve; life’s not about how long you live but how you live your life; choice is the most important part of life: what are you doing about your life right now? All successful people overcome challenges, use your God-given talents”.

It was an emotional morning with dancing, hugging, tears and laughter as the twenty now certified caregivers received their first qualification. Netsianda explained where the women (and one man who they call ‘Sister Oupa David’) were before they joined the caregiver training course.

Maria Louw was living on the streets for 14 years, until she found Marc Lubner at MaAfrika Tikkun. She is now sober and has qualified as a caregiver. She and her toddler have been provided with a new shack as well. Khutso Matabane is part of the Angel’s Program. She runs a child-headed household, and instead of going back to school like her younger sister has done, she is now a qualified caregiver and will earn a monthly stipend to support her baby, her sister, her sister’s baby and herself.

The caregivers received a modest stipend monthly throughout their 69 days of training and they will receive an increased amount every month now that they have qualified. Netsianda explains, “This is to sustain them because they are in essence volunteers, and the aim is not to remain caregivers long-term, but to use it as a stepping stone to permanent employment. The course transfers skills so that these ladies are empowered to eventually become employable carers, medical assistants, social workers or auxiliary nurses.”