Meet our people: Lindiwe Peter

 Lindiwe Peter (52) is an HIV and AIDS Site Co-ordinator at Carryou Ministry.
 "I joined Carryou in 2006 when the organisation took over the running of health clinics in Randfontein area," she says. "I started at the Mohlakeng Clinic in 2000, as a volunteer counsellor, where I cared for bed-ridden TB patients, visited them, gave them treatment and ensured they followed their medication regimen.
 "It was very different from my previous job where I was employed as a Stockroom Clerk with a national clothing chain that eventually shut down and went out of business.
 "At the time I was also involved in Christian counselling with couples and teenagers and did a counselling course in Pretoria," she says. "So, when the clothing store closed its doors I volunteered at the clinic, where I counselled and did health-testing and HIV Prevention of Mother to Child training.
 "After Carryou took over the clinics I was selected to be sent to college, where I received a National Certificate in Counselling and was promoted to the position of Site Co-ordinator."

Supervision

 Lindiwe's job entails the supervision and control of the field counsellors at four clinics in Mohlakeng and Toekomsrus.
 "I have to ensure the counsellors are where they should be and fully equipped to perform their functions," she says. "I compile and check the statistics gathered and collate that information into a monthly report for senior management.
 "In addition, Government recognised the need for outreach and, as a result, we have taken our services beyond the confines of the clinics, to farms, factories, shopping malls and schools. The initiative is having a major impact and is very exciting and fulfilling.
 "I love nothing more than rolling up my sleeves and helping in the field when we are short-staffed."

Dream

 The proud mother of an 18 year-old daughter, currently in her second year of study at the North West University, Lindiwe is deeply involved in her church.
 "I am part of the inner-worshipping team, involved in the running and functioning of the church," she says. "I also cook and care for my 87 year-old mom and make soup and help the grannies in my community. Sometimes I am forced to hire a car to get them to the clinic or church.
 "My dream is to get my driver's licence and then somehow find a way to own a car."

Free testing, a huge success at the Randfontein Show

We know we've published this picture before but we're just so darn proud!

 The dust has settled after the Randfontein Show, we've managed to catch our collective breath and take the time needed to study and digest the effects and results achieved at the Show.
 "Our participation was an unqualified success," says Mzi Tskikitsha, Programme Manager of the Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme, an initiative operated in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health.
 "To be honest, we were somewhat nervous before, as we've operated mostly in the Black community and knew, a large proportion of show-visitors are white. We did not know what to expect or how we'd be received.
 "But we need not have worried. The response was fantastic. Over 900 people, approximately two thirds of whom were women, made use of the free testing and screening services on offer," he says.

 Counselled

 On-the-spot tests were done for HIV, high blood-pressure and high blood-sugar and, where necessary, people were counselled by trained counsellors and referred to clinics and other medical facilities.
 "What we discovered is, there may be a misconception that HIV is not a problem in the white community," says Mzi. "But a surprising number of people tested positive and it is obvious, a great deal of work needs to be done and we are already formulating plans to do so.
 "Urgent intervention is required."
 A highlight of the Randfontein Show was when the Carryou/Gauteng Department of Health, screening and testing stall was awarded second place in its category.
 "This is an amazing achievement, as it was the first time we had a stand at the show," says Mzi.
 "The award made us feel appreciated, gave us confidence and filled us with pride. It made us feel a part of the whole community."

From political activist to caring for the sick

Meet our people:

 

Mzi Tshikitsha

 Carryou Ministry Programme Manager, Mzi Tshikitsha's life could easily have taken a very different path. The 34 year-old former, local ANC Youth League Chairperson, could easily have forged a path in politics.

 Born in the Transkei in the Eastern Cape, he moved to Randfontein aged 11, where his father owned a small piece of land in the Brandvlei area.

 "I was a naughty youngster at school, always getting up to mischief," says the married father of two daughters, "but I had a happy childhood.

 "My parents weren't Christians but rather believed in the power of their ancestors -- beliefs I did not share.

 "I became interested in Christianity at high school, after a friend invited me to church and, at age 17, I became a committed Christian and have been a member of that particular Apostolic Faith Mission church ever since."

 Tshikitsha completed his high school education in Randfontein and then enrolled at a college in Johannesburg, where he hoped to complete a Para-legal diploma. At the same time, he was involved in youth politics and headed up the local branch of the ANC Youth League, something that his father was bitterly opposed to.

 "My dad hated my involvement in politics," he says. 

 "Somewhere around 2001 I heard that a white lady - whom I later learned was Carryou Ministry founder, Pam Jamieson -- was going to be running a five-day course training people about AIDS and how to care for terminally-ill patients and I thought I should at least go and see what it was about.

 "The programme started on a Monday but, because I was writing exams, I could only get there on the Tuesday afternoon."

True calling

 The rest, as they say, is history. That day saw Mzi's life change and he discovered his life's true calling.

 At the end of the course, Mzi became a Carryou Ministry Care Giver and was assigned to care for a man older man who had developed full-blown AIDS.

 "I cared for him for six months until he died," says Mzi. "I washed him every day, fed him and took care of him in whatever way I could. In that household, I became the mother, father and pastor and, when he died, I buried him and preached at his funeral."

 It was a long way from the political high-life that may have been.

 "I think we were paid in the region of R50 (about $6) per month," he says. "But I didn't care. I loved helping and caring for people."

 A short while later Mzi was promoted to the position of Supervisor, where he had to oversee nine other Care Givers and, two years later, he effectively became Carryou Ministry's assistant manager, when he was appointed Programme Manager.

 He is currently in charge of three programmes - Home Based Care, HIV Counselling and Testing and the newly-started Health Post.

 The Home Based Care programme cares for people who are too ill to work and are at home.

 "Currently we have 163 patients in the programme, the bulk of whom are aged between 26 and 40," he says. "Thirty four Care Givers visit these people in their homes daily, to take care of them.

 "Our HIV Counselling and Testing programme is run in partnership with the health clinics of Randfontein and some in Krugersdorp and 60 people do the testing, counselling and help arrange treatment.

 "The Health Post is a new project," he says. "It was allocated to us by the Department of Health and is a holistic programme aimed at ensuring the health and well-being of entire households and families. 

 "Care Givers visit homes where they help people get identity documents, arrange ante-natal care for household members who may be pregnant, assist the sick and even become involved in helping parents get truant kids back to school."

 It's a big job that Tshikitsha must do and any free time he has is devoted to his family and his church.

 "I love spending time with my wife and young daughters," he says, "and my work in the church takes up any other spare time I have. I am an interpreter there and also hold the position of Secretary General."

 

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