Addressing local organisations and business people about HIV-infection in Randfontein

 Recently, Mzi Tshikitsha, Project Leader of the Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme, an initiative operated in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, had the opportunity to address members of the Randfontein Publicity Association (RPA).
 The RPA is comprised of local businesses, schools, NGOs and churches and, amongst other events, holds monthly networking meetings.
 "We conducted over a thousand screenings at the Randfontein Show, earlier in the year," says Mzi, "and discovered there is a significant number of HIV-positive people in the local white community. It quickly became obvious, more education and intervention is urgently required in this sector of our society.
 "HIV and AIDS is not confined to poverty-stricken areas and knows no colour lines," Mzi told the RPA members. "Our youth in particular, are at risk and we need to educate them to alter their behaviour and encourage them to be safe and responsible."
 He urged schools, NGOs and businesses to make use of the free services offered by Carryou Ministry and the Department of Health.
 "For example, if the school your kids attend, is putting on a sports event, let us set up a gazebo where kids and parents can ask questions and get educational literature," he says.
 "Invite us to address the congregation and youth at your church. Knowlege and education could save the life of your child."



If you would like to learn more about the Carryou Ministry Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme, or make use of their services, call Carryou at 011 412 2013
 

Getting snipped can save your life!

Specially-trained nurses, Thapelo Mpshane and Ratanang Mathebula, assist with a circumcision procedure on a patient at the Carryou Ministry Clinic in Randfontein.

 There is compelling evidence from three studies that male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%!
 Two studies focused on young urban men (ages 18 to 24) in Kenya and South Africa, whereas a third concentrated on a larger cross-section of rural men (ages 15 to 49) in Uganda. Over 11,000 men volunteered for the trials with one group receiving circumcision on enrollment and a control group delaying surgery until the end of the study.
 By tracking newly acquired infections in both groups, investigators discovered that circumcision cut HIV transmission rates by 55 to 65 percent. In fact, all three trials were stopped early due to the overwhelming evidence of circumcision's protective effect.
 "It was striking that the trials were in very different settings, but yielded consistent results," says Ronald Gray, study leader for the Uganda trial and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
 "This was the largest protective effect ever seen next to condom use," adds Sten Vermund, director of the Institute for Global Health at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn.ty

Permanent Circumcision Facility

 It was with this in mind that Carryou Ministry entered into a partnership agreement with SR Nana Mokoena  to set up a permanent circumcision facility at their offices in Randfontein.
 "We see this as another way to serve the community," says Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry's General Manager.
 Funded by Right to Care and US Aid, the facility makes use of a number of specially trained nurses and a doctor and, in the two months it's operated, around 250 males have been snipped.
  "We were involved in a similar project near Johannesburg and felt we could also offer our services in Randfontein which would mean people would not have to travel so far to receive a free service,” says Thapelo Mpshane, one of the nurses at Carryou.
  Discussions started with Carryou Ministry and the new project was endorsed.

Free

 The service is offered free of charge to all males from age 10 upwards.
 "It's quick and easy and life-saving," says Thapelo. "The process requires the patient fill in the relevant forms, receive some counselling, have an HIV test and then have the actual circumcision. The whole thing takes between an hour and ninety minutes."
 Patients return for a check up after two days, then seven days and finally at six weeks, after which they may resume sex.
 "Because some people live in informal settlements far from the main facility, we offer check up services at Vleikop and Elandsvlei," says Rev. Mabaso. "We urge all men to get circumcised, as it truly can save their lives."

Read this article about AIDS and circumcision. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/circumcision-and-aids/

Sue's report

Sue Heywood is a US citizen who is deeply involved in not only raising funds in general to help with Carryou Ministry's work but also has been instrumental in getting US sponsors to help specific children and families. She recently visited Carryou Minstry, as well as many of the kids and families she has come to personally know over the years. Of the reasons she did so, was to see what the current needs are and to report back to the US sponsors.
 This is an extract from her report. To respect the privacy of many of the people concerned, we choose not to publish the names of some of the aid recipients.

 When I was there in early October I was again aware of how much our funding achieves. While I was going round the homes and schools this time, I was able to buy three months supply of milk for an orphaned baby whose grandmother had run out of milk and money to buy it, food for a number of hungry families whose shacks showed no evidence of anything for today's meal, paraffin for cooking and text books for school. I also brought  with me two bags stuffed tightly with beautiful clothes, some jump ropes and frisbees! I always first asked Rev Lawrence whether the money I gave would be a help and appropriate. The joy it brought, I wish you all could see. Thank you for your past support of this wonderful organization.

Photos from October 2012

At the Toekomsrus drop in Center, table tennis which was bought by a friend in New Jersey last Christmas. The caregiver was teaching a long line of eager kids. To the right on the floor a small crowd played monopoly and scrabble!

Finger board was equally popular

 ***** girls wearing T shirts donated by Tuxedo Library. They live in a one room outhouse on a farm with one bed. They were hoping for a government low cost house, but so far nothing has happened.

More T-shirts for the ***** family. Their caregiver  (in blue) tries them for size.

Martha Come is one of the most promising people I have met. She is taking every opportunity offered to her through the DIC, her church and her school. She is going into 12th grade. She and her brother live on an orphan grant of R250 a month...about $35. Carryou is applying for further assistance for them. The neighbors showed me several sheets of corrugated iron which they had bought to repair Martha's roof which leaked in many places.

Next door this grandmother was very happy with a new T-shirt.

***** is another girl whom I have watched develop and have hopes that she may improve her conditions through her own efforts. The youngest of three sisters, she has seen both her parents die and just recently her eldest sister. She seems healthy, and grateful for Carryou's support.

 **** ...a sad little boy. I couldn't get a smile out of him. When you see the home situations it stresses the urgency for Drop in Centers, creches and extended school programs. There's such a 'nothingness' about life in a squatter camp.

Pamela Serage went with me on the first day. What a joy she is! She is working in Gauteng hospitals, putting an orphaned cousin through college and plans to support one of Carryou's orphans when she has finished paying for her cousin's education. Our sponsorship of her has really changed her life and she is now giving back.

***** still smiles but her teacher says she isn't doing well at school because she is frequently absent. She walks 5 kilometers to school across dirt roads and scrubland all by herself. No wonder she doesn't always come. I keep thinking about this little girl and wishing I could do more.

I admired the construction of this house. It even had a porch.

Rev Lawrence Mabaso was with me in Tshediso's house, a low cost government house left to him by his aunt. Tshediso was studying for his first year's law exams but Carryou told me that he can't afford the text books to study. I was able to help.

Setholele Primary School Several of our sponsored orphans attend this school. Behind me is ******, another young lady with some spunk and promise!

With Brenda Naholo, the orphan manager and coordinator, sorting out the bags of clothing I had brought and deciding who would get what.

If you would like to help Carryou Ministry please contact us.

The house that Carryou Ministry built

Carryou Ministry Programme Manager, Brenda Naholo, outside the shack they built for Daniel.

 Daniel and his nine year-old sister lived in the bush on the outskirts of Randfontein with their father, who was unemployed and severely ill, as his HIV-positive status progressed to full-blown AIDS.
 His body was covered in sores and he grew weaker every day, as his children struggled to care for him. When news of the family's plight reached the nearby community, a plan was made to get them into a shack where, at least they would have some protection from the elements. It was by no means Hollywood but was a rudimentary roof over their heads.
 But life was still no picnic for Daniel and his little sister, as they struggled to care for their dying father and had to rely on hand-outs to keep them alive. A little while later their father died and, like thousands of other AIDS orphans in South Africa at the time, the kids were left to fend for themselves.
 One day, while Daniel was away, a neighbour raped the little girl, leaving her traumatised and deeply emotionally-scarred.
 "We got to hear of their situation and immediately decided to do something," says Brenda Naholo, Programme Manager at Carryou Ministry. "The little girl was moved to a children's home and we bought everything needed to build a new shack for Daniel, in the Elandsvlei informal settlement near the Carryou Drop-in Centre.
 "That way he is able to get food every day, get help with school homework and receive the care that a 14 year-old boy needs.

Carryou Ministry staff members and the Elandsvlei community begin the building of Daniel's shack.

 "Just a few metres away is a woman who cares for five younger orphans and she keeps a watchful eye over him. I suppose you could say, both Carryou and the community has adopted him."

 There can be no doubt, Daniel is far better off than he's ever been in his young life but he's been left scarred and hurt and is struggling to adjust.
 "He's not doing well at school and says he no longer wants to attend school," says Brenda. "Though we make sure he sees his sister regularly, he is battling to come to terms with being separated from her. But we are going to make sure he doesn't fall through the cracks."

 Because Daniel is a minor, we are prohibited by South African law from identifying him or showing him in photographs. This story is however, 100% true! No one really knows for sure how many child-headed households there are in South Africa. Some studies have put the number in the tens of thousands. But, according to Brenda, since the government introduced a monthly cash grant for families that take care of orphans, the situation has improved significantly.

Five orphans are cared for in this shack.

If you would like to help the work of Carryou Ministry or would like more information please contact us.

One person can make a huge difference!

Sue Heywood, an angel of hope.

 It is sometimes said that a single person can't really make a difference in the lives of many but Sue Heywood, an American citizen smashes that myth!

With two kids she helped supply school uniforms

 In the past eight years, her efforts have been directly responsible for providing food to hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children, providing an education for others and enabling many terminally ill people to receive comfort and die with dignity. She has raised over $365 000 in the US to help Carryou Ministry's work.

 “I became involved with Carryou in 2001 when I asked Mark, our son, to introduce me to a grass roots organization that dealt directly with the effects of HIV/AIDS in an area of poverty and had a Christian mission as its driving force,” says Sue. 

 “I wanted to be able to make a big difference to a small organization where what money I could raise, would go directly to the people it was intended for. I also wanted to develop a personal

relationship with the staff.

  “I was taken to Randfontein where I met Tony (Jamison), husband of the founder, Pam. He took me around and showed me what they were doing and hoping to achieve and I went back to the US, determined to help.”

The start!

Sue and Pamela Serage. Pamela was an orphan who received

support from Sue that allowed her to attend university. She has

subsequently graduated with a bachelor's degree.

 At the time, Sue and her family were members of St John's Church in Ramsey, NJ. Where Sue was in charge of the Church School and a member of the Vestry.

 “We made a donation of $1000...and that was the start!” she says.

 “Later we moved to Tuxedo Park NY and to St Mary's Church, Tuxedo. In fund raising I also

wanted to raise the awareness of people in the US, particularly children, of what it is like to be really poor, be affected by HIV/AIDs, and to have to rely on people like the Carryou caregivers to survive. I want children who have so much, too much in many cases, to be aware that they can help others who, in many ways are like them but living in circumstances that are very different.

 “In the US, to raise money, I have given slide show presentations in schools and organized walkathons and tee shirt sales for the students, similarly in churches which have developed into annual fund raising, Mardi Gras breakfasts, garden parties, yard sales and musical concerts,” says Sue.

Sue visits one of the child-headed households that Carryou supports

 “And by identifying individual orphans and vulnerable children I have found sponsors who take a direct interest in the welfare of these children and donate regularly. Their contributions provide food and school uniforms for the children. We have also sent donations to assist in specific building projects like the Drop-in Centre in Toekomsrus. 

 “In the last two weeks Episcopal Response to Aids sent $150, the National Honor Society of Baker High School donated $500, specifically to help a high school graduate being cared

for by Carryou and we had a Yard Sale that raised $700,” she says.

 “The truth is, without Sue, her family and friends, we simply would not be able to do much of the work that we do and many people would suffer,” says Carryou Ministry, General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso.

 If you live in the United States and would like to make a tax-deductible donation to Carryou Ministry, you can do so via Sue Heywood.  Her email address is sueheywood@optonline.net. 

“Our donors make cheques to St Mary's in Tuxedo (www.stmarysintuxedo.org) with the memo indicating payment to Carryou. The money then goes into our outreach account and when we have enough we wire it direct to the Carryou account. St Mary's sends the donors a letter so they can get a tax deduction for their charitable gift,” she says.

More than just a feeding scheme: a vital community hub

 Today, standing in the dry, dusty, OR Tambo informal settlement some ten kilometres outside the town centre of Randfontein, it's hard to believe, or even imagine that last year this was the site of fierce flash flooding that saw some families’ homes and possessions washed away.

  But, at 3am on 20 February, that is exactly what happened when the heavens opened causing some shacks to collapse and washed away furniture and belongings.

  Carryou Ministry, who operate a creche and feeding program in the settlement, together with the West Rand Disaster Management team was called in to help. All in all, 37 families were affected.

 “Carryou Ministry undertook to accommodate the women and children of the affected families in the Carryou Drop-in Centre (DIC) while the men decided to stay with their belongings and re-build their shacks,” says Brenda Naholo, Programme Manager for the DIC.
 “For the next week the women and children had a roof over their heads and running water and each day the families, including the men, received two cooked meals. The local municipality donated blankets.

 “We prepared breakfast and lunch and Pillar of Strength, an organisation doing home-based care in the area made supper,” she says.

 “Women and children slept in the DIC centre at night but the men chose to take care of their belongings and returned to their shacks after having their meals.

 “Since then we have also assisted families to apply for and obtain important documents lost in the floods such as identification documents and birth certificates.”

Vital Hub

 

  The Carryou DIC was established as a feeding point for orphaned and vulnerable children but it is much more than that. It is a vital hub and beacon of hope for the impoverished community.

  Kids are not only fed but receive assistance with homework and schoolwork, some of it given by unemployed men in the settlement.

  But conditions are not ideal. Children do their homework in one of the containers but must sit on the floor as there are no chairs or tables yet. It is a challenge but still better than that experienced by many other kids in other parts of the country.

  The DIC also offers, counseling services, life-skills programs that cover issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, TB awareness and teenage pregnancies and help given to community members who need to obtain birth certificates and identity documents.

  In the past year the following Community Involvement and Education Programmes were run at the centre:

• Teenage pregnancy awareness campaign
• Community mobilisation on vaccination
• Pap smear awareness
• Mobilisation on child  negligence and their rights
• Candle light event
• HIV AIDS Awareness
• Awareness on Foster Care for foster parents

Many other activities also take place at the DIC including:

• Caregivers support group once a month
• Boys and girls support groups separately  once a month
• Youth support group
• Child care forums
• Teenage support groups
• Community leaders support group  to discuss issues affecting the community

  It’s a huge task that must somehow be done with limited financial resources.

 “We get many referrals and requests for assistance from surrounding schools and communities, “ says Brenda.

 “It is a great challenge that we face as increasing numbers of kids are being orphaned as a result of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. In just the past year, the number of people receiving assistance at the OR Tambo DIC has increased by 25%!

 “But we receive assistance from many quarters, even internationally, For example, at least 22 food parcels are distributed to child/granny/sick parent households every month as a result of the fund-raising efforts of Sue Heywood and her supporters in the USA.”

If you would like to know more about the work of Carryou Ministry or would like to offer assistance, please click on the “How you can help” link on the right of this page.

Please be so kind as to share this blog on your social networking platforms.

Providing hope in a bleak place

O.R. Tambo Informal Settlement is a squatter camp at Elandsvlei, about 10 kilometres outside the Randfontein town centre.
 It is a grim place, of that there is no doubt. Residents live in shacks that they construct themselves, made from whatever materials they are able to scrounge. In summer it is like living in the bowels of hell and winter is a thoroughly miserable experience. In some years, shacks are washed away by heavy rains.
 Water must be collected from large plastic tanks set up at the entrance to the camp that are filled every few days by the Randfontein Town Council. Sewage is rudimentary.

 The people who live in O.R. Tambo are desperately poor. Some are orphaned children who have no choice but to fend for themselves. Without help, the community, especially the children, would have little hope of knowing anything else and would simply slip into the abyss made up of the millions of the unknown, desperate, poor in South Africa.
 But there is hope for these vulnerable people.
 At the end of March 2012 Carryou Ministry opened a Drop-in Centre at Elandsvlei. The facility provides a nutritious, cooked meal to around 600 children, six days a week. It also supplies daily meals to kids at a nearby school.
 There is also a nursery school that operates at the Carryou Drop-in Centre where, currently, 22 pre-school kids are fed, cared for and prepared for school.
 In the afternoons, trained care-givers are on hand to help both primary and high-school children complete their school homework and prepare them for their exams.
 In addition, counseling services are made available, life-skills programs that cover issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, TB awareness and teenage preganancies, are run and help is given in obtaining birth certificates and identity documents.
 "As a society it is our God-given duty to give these kids a hand-up in life," says Rev Lawrence Mabaso, General Manager of Carryou Ministry. "Who knows what potential lies amongst them and just needs a little help, to be realized?"

 

 

 

From little acorns great oaks grow!

Sister Pam Jamison, Carryou Ministry Founder

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

 There can be little doubt HIV and AIDS is one the greatest challenges this world faces, with millions of people dying or  becoming infected every year.
 One of the areas hardest hit, is Africa and the impact in South Africa is enormous. Every day, families are left devastated and children, of all ages, are left without parents and must fend for themselves.
 It is an enormous problem. In a study conducted in 2006, an estimated 122 000 -- almost 1% of the population -- lived in child-headed households.
 The sheer magnitude of the deadly pandemic meant that the South African Government, even with the best of intentions,  struggled to provide adequate care and support and ordinary South Africans, of all persuasions, knew they could not simply sit on their hands and do nothing.

Randfontein

 In Randfontein, a former mining-town some 40 kilometres west of Johannesburg the situation was no different but it was to be the site of the start of something amazing in 2000.
 It all started when the Anglican Church, St. John the Divine, asked Pam Jamison, member of the congregation and a nursing sister to attend an AIDS 'trainer of trainers' course. This was because increasing numbers of people were turning to the church for assistance in dealing with the trauma of HIV and AIDS.
 Pam completed the course and soon began to care for patients in Toekomsrus, a township bordering Randfontein. Word quickly spread however, and she was asked to train others so they too, could care for the sick.
 And it wasn't long before care-givers in other townships and rural areas got to hear of Pam's training and came flocking to her for help and so, Carryou Ministry was born.
 "It just grew," says Pam. "Carryou Ministry is a non-profit organization involved in home-based care for the sick and elderly, as well as people affected by HIV/AIDS.
 "As a result of the devastating disease our biggest challenge now, is caring for the children left behind."

Inspired

 Carryou Ministry's work is inspired by the Bible reading from Matthew 25:35.
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me."
 "We started this ministry in with no resources - just sick people and a strong faith," says Pam. "We prayed to God to lead us according to His purposes, which He always has done.
 "The name Carryou can be found in Isaiah 46:4, where God says: 'I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.'"
 And God has been true to his promise.
 Today Carryou Ministry feeds around 1 000 people (mainly children) six days of the week, provides home-based care to over 200 terminally-ill patients, helps hundreds of kids with their school homework every day and provides a variety of other  counseling and support-services.