Executive Summary to Annual Report: AMCARE Board Report 2009/2010
I wish to bring all the glory to our Father in Heaven for the privilege given to the Board and the Staff of AMCARE, as we strive to care and develop vulnerable women, men, children, people with disabilities and the elderly in the Communities of Alberton, Edenpark, Greenfeilds, Phola Park, Thina Zonke and Tokoza.
2009/2010 was once again characterized by growth in the services of AMCARE and we were able to provide the following services:
- Social Relief: As our name denotes, we reach out to the food security and material needs in our community. AMCARE provided 3,570 food parcels to approximately 383 families during this period. Clients are so poor and sickly and family members are either not motivated enough or are not suitably educated to earn sufficiently to be self-sufficient. Parcels provide for food only, not all basic needs. The food parcels have significantly improved since we were able to access LOTTO funding.
Hot soup and bread are still prepared 4 days a week to 5 Clinics; 3 Schools; 1 crèche; 2 NGO’S; Bread is provided for our patients twice a week. We have food gardens on our premises and also teach our beneficiaries food gardening to assist them to become self-sustaining. There are 160 such food gardens at homes of clients in the community and three community food gardens. 52 new gardens were established at beneficiaries’ homes in this period with 58 new clients. Groups were formed in Feb and March 2010, to educate the Clients on soil preparation. Through funds from Joy Mining Manufacturing, fencing was provided for 5 community gardens.
At AMCARE’s intake office 45 persons were referred to SASSA for different grants.
- Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Services: Injabulo Clinic provided VCT services, testing for TB and other communicable diseases to 1,300 patients. 252 Patients received both pre and post test counselling of which 93 were found positive. We currently transport patients to Government Hospital facilities for ARV medication, and are now included in the health care network by providing a Down-referral ARV Clinic in partnership with Right to Care and the Gauteng Department of Health. We also have a “lost to follow up” service aimed at ensuring ARV compliance.
A VCT drive was conducted to businesses during November 2009: 1604 Employees educated on HIV/AIDS and 527 Employees tested
26 EPWP Caregivers and 3 AMCARE Caregivers attended to approximately 319 patients through HCBC. Since April 105 new cases were identified. 20 patients died through AIDS related illnesses. The Caregivers made a total of 22,416 home visits in this period. Social Workers also provide psychosocial services to beneficiaries.
2 Caregivers are in training, one is doing child and youth care training and the other HR Admin and both were outsourced through EPWP. 2 Caregivers were in training for Basic Health Promotion. AMCARE also facilitate monthly education sessions that are relevant to the work that the Caregivers do.
We are registered with the HWSETA to provide training for Home-based Care givers in HIV & AIDS as part of the SAQA accredited Certificate in Community Health Work. 49 persons were trained in the period under review.
105 OVC’s have been identified during this period. 2 OVC’S received full school uniform .In April and December we held fun days for 30 OVC’S and provided them with t-shirts, lunch education and entertainment. 34 OVC’S have been enrolled in an education group. Once a month the Alberton Methodist Church together with our community development worker provide life skills and recreational opportunities to approximately 12 OVC’S from Greenfields.
The Social Auxiliary Workers hold monthly meetings with the Caregivers in order to support the Co-ordinators with any challenges they may be experiencing. The Caregivers receive debriefing once a month by the Social Work Manager and CEO/Deacon from the Methodist Church. Caregivers are equipped to share their Christian faith with beneficiaries.
11 support groups for adult patients have been established by Social Auxiliary Workers. Unfortunately the availability of food becomes a determining factor in attendance at groups and is also the reason why the groups will not meet once the facilitator exits the group.
- Domestic Violence: We provide community services in partnership with the government and other NPOs. We provide emergency accommodation to 21 women and 17 children at Hannah House in Alberton as well as 195 women and 143 children at Ikhaya Lethemba in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. (We have withdrawn from Ikhaya Lethemba with effect of 1 April 2010.)
Clients contracted with the social worker for individual counselling, parenting skills, supportive counselling, budgeting skills, life skills, skills development and self -defence sessions.Social worker made use of theoretical integration and an eclectic approach to assist the clients to change their behavior and feel empowered. Individual Social work counseling was provided to 4 abused women from the community.
Education was provided to 21 Residents, 4 clients from the community and to 2 clients at intake level on the benefits of obtaining Protection and Maintenance Orders against the Perpetrator and this resulted in them being empowered. The social workers assisted one client with the verification of her protection order as well as accompanied the client to court and for legal assistance.
AMCARE successfully obtained volunteer services of an Educational Psychologist to attend to the behavioural challenges presented by a girl child at the Shelter.
Weekly Resident’s meetings were run to re-enforce rules. We incorporated education and life skills into the meetings. Weekly bible study took place (Battlefield of the mind) for spiritual strength (devotion) and support.
The recreational needs of the children are met as we have a secured out door play area for the children to use.
Arrangements were made by mothers for children that attended school. Our Social worker visits schools of children in the shelter to assess their well-being and educational needs. An information session was run on the importance of education for children. Housemother assists children in shelter with their homework were possible.
Most of the Residents were already employed or soon after admission obtained employment, others are still job searching. Resident’s were assisted with the typing of their C.V., looking for work opportunities and were supported when there were challenges faced at the places of employment. A Social worker has been using a skills audit tool to identify client’s strengths when it comes to work opportunities. This tool helps when looking for jobs. 6 Residents obtained work whilst with us during this period.
We provided universal health precautions for all women and children in the shelter at all times in order to meet special needs. Hannah House met the needs of 6 HIV Positive Residents during this period. Residents received handouts with information on nutrition and info was posted up at the Shelter. The medical needs of Residents are seen to immediately as AMCARE has a wellness clinic on the property
- Home-based care for Elderly and disable persons: We provided services to 45 Elderly persons, Persons with a Disability and persons with HIV. Of these 10 clients passed away and 3 were admitted to frail care. 2 were admitted into hospital and 1 into a home. 367 Home visits to patients were made Clients are made to feel comfortable and their beds are made, linen changed. Other assistance is provided where necessary. Patients are escorted to attend clinics at the Johannesburg-, South Rand- and Helen Joseph Hospitals. Bereavement and Christian Counselling is provided to families of terminally ill persons
AMCARE hosts the Cancer Association in a custom made day clinic situated on our property for day care services to sufferers and their family members in the community. Referrals from this organization is received and attended to.
- Skills Development: We provide skills training: 4 Students started sewing classes in March 2010. 5 Students enrolled for catering training in March 2010. Numbers were limited due to lack of funding.
We have a bric-a-brac, woodwork and second hand furniture shop on the premises, which provides much needed supplementary funding where our government subsidies and donations fall short.
6. Financials
Our Audited Financial Statements for 2009/2010 are unqualified. Total income received in 2009 was R8 428 307.00 and for 2010 it was R12 969 147.00 – an increase of funding received amounting to R4 540 830.00 (53.88%) This is largely ascribed to R3 671 612.00 received from the national Lottery Distribution Agency. Other large sources of income were the Department of Social Development (R3 030 291.00), Donations received (R2 197 407.00) and Right to Care (R1 080 899.00)
Total expenditure during 2009 was R8 724 121.00 and 2010 it was R11 388 158.00 being an increase of 30.54%.
There was a significant improvement in the surplus of R1 580 989 in 2010 over the deficit shown in 2009 of –R295 814. According to the auditors “This was mainly due to better management of funds and the implementation of a budget system.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Deacon Dr Vernon van Wyk
CEO |
