Nthabisang Moreosele

Nthabisang Moreosele

The Tlhokomelo Home Based Care group in Orlando East looks after 184 housebound patients.

The group is based at the New Church of South Africa not far from the new 2010 stadium.

"We began looking after people in 2000 when there was an outbreak of HIV-Aids deaths in Orlando East," said the group's chairman Elizabeth Molebatsi.

"People were dying like flies and many had no one to look after them. We recruited unemployed people to look after them."

Tlhokomelo then found other patients like the aged who were neglected by their families. Some of them had sustained injuries or suffered a stroke.

The group was lucky to receive a donation from the Telkom Charity Cup which they use to feed children after school.

"We give the children a hot meal a day," Molebatsi said. "We hope that we will soon be able to give them food to take home for an evening meal."

Mama Angel was on hand to deliveradult nappies, gloves, dressings, detergents and bed liners.

Tlhokomelo has 21 trained caregivers, who receive a stipend from the Health Department. They care for 184 housebound patients, of whom 59 are bedridden, 85 on TB medication and 40 on antiretrovirals.

"We have witnessed a miracle. The advent of ARVs has saved many people who were at death's door. Today they are perfectly well and are contributing to society. I wish more people would accept that ARVs work," Molebatsi said.

"There is still stigma attached to HIV-Aids. The community does not want caregivers visiting them because they are said to be nurses handling HIV-Aids patients.

"We cater for all patients regardless of their sickness. We treat cases of dementia, prostrate cancer, TB, strokes, and arthritis."

Tlhokomelo still needs:

Food for 240 orphans and vulnerable children;

Beads for a project;

Garden tools and seeds;

Crockery and cutlery;

Blankets;

Tracksuits;

Tables and chairs for the children.