Report to the Community Annual Report 2007
LIVING HOPE COMMUNITY CENTRE OUR VISION We seek to bring the hope and compassion of Jesus Christ to the chronically sick and dying in a holistic way and do all we can to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.
OUR MISSION •
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To spread the good news of Jesus Christ in a Life-changing way and to encourage people to Follow Christ. To play a vital role in prevention, care, treatment and support of people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and other chronic illnesses. To undertake Community Health Development and advocacy through educational and health related programmes.
Report to the Community Letter from the Board of Trustees
Dear Friends,
Living Hope has had another year of major community impact and helped to change the lives of 7619 people as reflected in this report. Every year, Living Hope continues to grow and we stand amazed at the faithfulness of God and of our donors, who contribute so generously to make Living Hope an organization which offers hope and compassion to people who live with HIV and AIDS and to those in difficult and sad circumstances. During the past year both our costs and our staff have increased. As a result we have been able to expand our delivery on the ground and, at the end of the day, this is what counts. Our Prevention Department has grown extensively and we are doing all we can to change the thinking of boys and girls about the dignity and value of their body. We focus on children around eight or nine years old, in the hope that it will change their lives as pressure increases on them as they get older. We have seen that many children, eleven years and older, are already either sexual experimenting or sexually active, and for them the prevention message is already too late. My thanks to the Board of Trustees, to Trevor Gray, our General Manager, and the entire staff of Living Hope who have brought the organization to a point where there is now solid infrastructure, great staffing and good Policies and Procedures. Throughout 2006, the Trustees have worked to get the Policies & Procedures and decision making processes in place. We have also sharpened the focus of Living Hope into a mainly health orientated organization but have not neglected to see each client or patient as a holistic person. This has its challenges as the hope and compassion we offer intersects socially, spiritually, economically and in every way. We are in the process of moving our job creation opportunities into a more appropriate sister organization which can give the lead to significant work empowerment in our area. Thank you to you for the part you have played in making Living Hope a significant and powerful organization which is impacting the lives of people spiritually and physically. To God be the glory for all that He has done as we seek to live as a compassionate action Christian organization!
Rev. John V. Thomas
Chairman, Board of Trustees
What a mighty God we serve! In July of 2006, I took over the reigns of management from Dr. Jim Walker at Living Hope. Dr. Jim, along with his predecessor Prof. Barbara Robertson laboured to lay the foundations of this organisation and it is my privilege to build upon them. The ultimate foundation of course is the Lord Jesus Christ and we all at Living Hope can testify to His continued faithfulness. During the year we have again seen an increase in staffing levels from the previous year. In 2006, 83 full time employees and 7 volunteer missionaries were reported. Our current level of 140 full time employees and 5 volunteer missionaries has helped us to expand our ministry into new areas such as Capricorn Park and the Red Hill communities. In the last 12 months we have seen our staff come together in a spirit of unity and purpose. We have engaged each other in healthy debate, as we continue to focus on what we do and how we can do it better. On a sad note we saw the passing of the Rev Phillip Mokson, one of our Trustees, in January 2007. This was a traumatic time for a number of our staff as he was a much loved member of the Living Hope community. With an increase in ministry comes an increase in responsibility to ensure adequate funding levels in the future. We therefore plan to set up a Marketing Department within Living Hope which will be responsible for our Public Relations and Fund Raising efforts in the months ahead. A special word of thanks to all the management, staff and volunteers at Living Hope who have put their hand to the plough and not looked back, sometimes in difficult circumstances. Thank you all, you really are a great team. I would also like to thank all the teams and volunteers from visiting churches and other organizations who have come along side us during the year and sown so generously. Thank you and may God bless you all. So it is with confidence in God’s faithfulness, together with all your prayers and support, we look to 2007/8 knowing He is able to do more than we could ever imagine.
Trevor Gray General Manager
General Manager’s Report
Financial Report
God has been faithful! Our revenue has increased in line with the demands of the ministry we are involved in, from just over R 5 Million last year to well over R 8 Million. Our funding is derived from 2 sources: Grants: (US AID, PAWC, iThemba, Global Funding)
R 4 163 622
Church, Business & Private Donations (Local & International)
R 4 209 364
Summary financial information for the year ending April 2007. The following charts reflect that 2006/07 was a growth year for Living Hope Community centre. Through a combination of income from Grants and Donations; Living Hope covered its running costs of R 6.45 million with R2.01 million in Capital Reserves (R1.48 million) and Operational Reserves designated for building specific projects ( R 0.53 million) For many people, the word ‘surplus’ conjures up an image of vast reserves that will sustain a NGO for many years, this is certainly not the case at Living Hope. When the reserves are taken out of the income, Living Hope has a break-even scenario. That is why one of our key financial objectives for 2007/08 is to raise funds to seed a reserve fund that will allow us to fund ourselves for at least three months. This funding will be in addition to meeting our annual commitments. Through the development of a Marketing Department, we hope to meet this goal. Note: The financial information contained in this Annual Report has been extracted from the Financial Statements of Living Hope Community Centre Audited by Deloitte & Touche. Any further detail may be obtained from the Financial Reports.
Peter Hawksley Finance & Administrative Manager
LHCC INCOME 2007 R 8.45 million
Capital 25%
General Admin 11%
Special Projects 3%
Spiritual 5%
Prevention 17%
Health Care Centre 27% Home Based Care 12%
LHCC Operational Expenses R 6.45 million Capital Expenditure 4%
General Admin 15%
Prevention 19%
Special Projects 6% Spiritual 7%
Home Based Care 14%
Health Care Centre 35%
Prevention Report The Prevention Department has experienced a challenging and exciting year. We were thrilled to welcome new staff, and are excited about what the future holds for this dynamic, purposeful and committed prevention team. We have grown spiritually in our understanding of the purpose for our work at Living Hope. We have spent much time in team building and spiritual discipleship. We have worked to develop structures in which to operate, and with like minded partners with whom we can work. Each department has received ongoing and specific training and it is has been gratifying to see the commitment level and sense of purpose of our clients. Life Skills Educators Last April we started with five educators and ended the year with ten and a number of committed volunteers. They are involved in a number of programs. Schools As at March 2007, we are working in seven areas in the following schools. These schools include: Simon’s Town Marine Primary, Ocean View Kleinberg Primary, Ocean View Ukhanyo, Masiphumelele Noordhoek Private St James Primary, Kalk Bay Muizenberg Junior School Christian Davids, Steenberg In our school programme, we present Life Orientation lessons, based on the curriculum of the Education Department, but from a base that presents Biblical morals and principles. Our target group for these lessons is Grade 3-Grade 7. Because of a lack of staff, we have not yet been able to do all these classes, but we intend to do as many of these grades as we are able to with the staff available. The response from the students, staff and Principals of these schools has been most encouraging and supportive. Children’s Clubs In the afternoons this same group of Life Skills Educators run 14 Children’s Clubs throughout the areas in which they work. The children who attend vary in age and, in some areas, a specific age group meets on a certain day each week. Holiday Clubs During the holidays, together with volunteers and sometimes visiting teams, the life Skills Educators run Holiday clubs in the different areas. These holiday clubs provide children with , an alternative to spending time in “shabeens”, dealing drugs and getting into trouble. We continually seek to partner with different organizations in order to give the children a dream for the future and a sense of self-worth. Among other things, we have made it possible for kids to play soccer and other sports and participate in sporting events, have discipleship and Bible study classes and other activities.
Lay Counsellors
This group has grown from three to seven. We work with Government health services and provide VCT and PMTCT education at the following facilities:
Muizenberg Clinic Red Hill Clinic – Tuesdays only Nonzamo Clinic – Masi Ocean View Clinic False Bay Hospital
Their work load has increased significantly as we have intentionally sought to effectively educate every person with whom we have contact and close the gap between the time a person learns of their positive status and needs home-based care. We have done this by playing a more active role in the development of support groups and in the mentoring of HIV+ support group facilitators. Through this “positive prevention,” we hope to see a marked change in the attitude, secrecy and stigma issues that “cloud” the issue of HIV/AIDS. Although stigma and secrecy remain a challenge to the Lay Counsellors, their personal interest and support have started to impact the community. We are seeing more couple counselling, and this is most encouraging. The development of an appropriate and practical reporting template for our monthly stats took a lot of “workshopping” as a team. But, this was an excellent means to help us evaluate our actual activities in the health facilities where we provide counselling services.
Our workers have made great strides in their spiritual development and they are actively living out their faith in their jobs. It thrills me to see them recognize their job is more than just a means of earning an income, but a mission and means to reach people for Jesus, as they provide eternal hope, practical help, support and information. Chronic Disease Lifestyle Support Groups Living Hope embarked on a new development as requested by the Provincial Association of the Western Cape, (PAWC) as part of the roll out for the “Healthcare 2010.” Ten facilitators were appointed to start health support groups in the different areas in which we work. As part of the format, we have devotions and educate people on a health topic. Eventually we will distribute chronic medication through the Chronic Disease Lifestyle (CDL) support groups for five months, then, if there is a need to visit a Doctor at a clinic or hospital, the client will not need to go more regularly than every six months. The package of care to be offered, as stipulated by PAWC includes Hypertension, Diabetes, Foot care, Eye care, Physical Exercise, Medicine compliance and Nutrition. As this programme has progressed, we have added other chronic diseases such as asthma and cancer. We also include childhood illnesses, basic life skills, substance abuse, dealing with grief and forgiveness and we have invited Medic Alert to offer their services. The spiritual component of these meetings has become a great strength to the clients and we have seen many answers to prayer in these groups. This service has great growth potential, but as it is a new project across the Metropole, it still has many teething problems.
HIV+ Support Groups “Positive Prevention” at this stage of the pandemic is vital to the prevention of further infections. For many years Chaplain Nobuntu Matholeni has very ably led and discipled two HIV+ support groups at the Multi-purpose Centre. In an attempt to “grow” this ministry and to reach more HIV positive people in the area, it was decided at the end of 2006 to form smaller groups into which Lay Counsellors and Home-based carers could feed newly diagnosed HIV+ people. We agreed to train some of the HIV+ support group members as facilitators to work with a 21 topic curriculum. Each week there are seven meetings and soon we hope to add seven more. A Lay Counsellor oversees each gathering and the facilitator is mentored along the way. The Prevention team is focused and we have a committed and enthusiastic squad who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those they meet, and pointing them to Jesus, our only hope, the Living Hope! We give thanks to the Lord for His direction, leading, strength and ability. To God be the glory!
Avril Thomas Prevention Manager
This has been a challenging year with many changes, but in spite of all these, I do believe we are fulfilling the core values and the vision of Living Hope. Many patients come into the Health Care Centre desperately ill with no hope and eventually leave, changed people, because of what God has done in their lives. Our statistics cannot begin to show the effect that is made on lives and ultimately on the community. Only eternity will tell of the wonderful positive changes in the lives of people whom the Lord Himself has touched. This past year we have had a seventy per cent occupancy rate in our 20 bed Health Care Unit, most of whom are people with HIV and AIDS. We serve our patients in a variety of ways. Once admitted, we administer medication in such a way as to ensure the best possible results and we then monitor clients who might have adverse reactions. When needed, we take them to hospitals, clinics, home affairs and social services. Every day, we serve them a nutritious menu and make sure their environment is as clean and comfortable as possible. We even go the extra mile and take them to the bank or shopping as they request. Every day we commit our tasks and ourselves to the Lord expecting and depending on Him to bless us in this work to which He has called us. We are so thankful to all who pray for us and to those who give so generously to make the in- patient unit a happy and lovely place. There are those who bring food, others give flowers, and some donate toiletries and even money for use in the centre or to treat the staff. International teams have come and spent time playing games with the patients or singing and entertaining them. As a management team we have approved new policies and we continue to work toward accreditation in the Western Cape. We have an ongoing program of training for the staff and hold frequent meetings to ensure that their needs are also met. We have had some turnover in our staff, but we believe each wonderful person who has been with us has played his or her particular part in the big picture, at the right time, in the right place. We are very proud of the staff we now have.
Sr. Louette Mccallum Nursing Services Manager
Health Care Centre Report
Social Work Report
Patients Here in the social work department we support patients and their families at the Health Care Centre. We help them with spiritual and emotional concerns, bereavement counselling and as needed, financial planning. We do some home visits to patients who live in Masiphumelele, Ocean View and Muizenberg and refer them to a more suitable service provider when those skills are needed. Staff We work with the staff in groups to build their capacity for and also debrief them to help them cope with the life and death issues they face daily. We offer the same for the Home Based Carers and the Lay Counsellors. Testimonials A mom came in desperately ill with her twins and for a while it did not seem as if she would ever regain her strength. She had been abandoned by the father of her children and had been referred to the Centre by a neighbour who had been very concerned. The twins were placed in a safe home for six months, during which time mom grew from strength to strength, so much so that she was able to take her babies back and care for them herself. She became involved in a sewing project set up by one of our missionaries at Living Hope and is now one of two sewing instructors and supervises quality control for the products. She was able to secure a shack in Masiphumelele and has found a sustainable market for the bags which she sews at home. A 35 year old male was admitted suffering from disease related dementia and was very confused and wasted from the illness. He spent an extended time with us while his treatment was taking effect and when he left, he was mentally in a good state. His girlfriend has since given birth to healthy twins and he is running his own “spaza� shop successfully. A young woman arrived absolutely wasted from her illness. She was unable to walk alone and struggled to eat. After an extended stay with us she became well enough to return home. Home however, had been a shack which she herself had built; but when she was so desperately ill, certain family members sold it without her permission. We were able to obtain financial assistance from a very generous donor who provided sufficient monies for her to buy her shack back, and equip it with the necessary furniture. We are happy to report that she is progressing well and coping adequately in her community with their support.
Jess Ollis Social Worker
Chaplain’s Report The chaplaincy has played a very important role in the lives of people who are infected and affected by HIV. We have gone beyond our own boundaries, especially given the silence of the churches in our areas to be involved. The church’s refusal to listen and love has made our clients feel pushed aside and left out in the cold. God has caused Living Hope to become a place of healing and we see a responsibility to play a role in getting pastors and churches to work with us towards a common cause, one church at a time. Support groups For the better part of this year we have been involved in support group facilitation with more than two thousand four hundred people ministered to in Capri and Red-hill. In addition, approximately two thousand people were visited and ministered to in their homes. Our support groups have provided people with HIV a relaxed and informal place to share their experiences, fears hurts and build new friendships. We have been privileged to help our clients to renew their faith and confidence in the face of devastating losses, allowing couples and individuals an opportunity to discuss issues that concern them. Many emotions confront people when they are diagnosed and they are generally treated inappropriately by others and as a result become depressed and angry. Living Hope has become to them a major source of love and acceptance where they can share with each other their deepest secrets and still be loved. We encourage people to explore topics like grief, anger, forgiveness, guilt, denial, acceptance, rejection, social isolation, fear (of what tomorrow holds) and negative reaction by religious groups and churches. Training In keeping with the five-fold ministry of Ephesians chapter 4, we are embarking on equipping Living Hope staff to do what, up until now, the Chaplaincy has been doing. We will prepare God’s people to do the works of ministry. This will make us as an organization, able to touch many more people with the message of the gospel and offer them the healing that only Jesus can offer in the emotional and spiritual context when living with HIV and AIDS, both as an infected person or as a family member of someone who has the virus. Other areas of ministry This year we have been confronted daily by cases of sexual, alcohol and drug abuse. In some of our communities in which we work, HIV and AIDS are married to drug and alcohol abuse in such a way that you cannot deal with one and ignore the other. This requires much wisdom as these social issues can be overwhelming if allowed to dominate us. In our times of counseling we have had the privilege to hear people say “I have learned to be strong in the face of rejection, anger, fear and discrimination” and yet we have seen that keeping HIV and AIDS a secret and not being able to share their pain, has led to people being crushed and broken.
Sometimes it appears as though God has forgotten those to whom we minister, but I am always encouraged by the story of Mr. and Mrs. Martin. In spring 1905, Civilla Martin and her husband visited Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle of Elmira, New York. The wife had been bedridden for almost 20 years and the husband used a wheel chair for mobility. Both lived happy Christian lives that brought inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day Mr. Martin asked them of their hopefulness. Mrs. Doolittle replied, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.� Her statement inspired Civilla Martin to write that well known hymn which she mailed the next day to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music. God is in control and He is doing more for these people than we can ever do.
Patrick Diba Chaplain
Volunteer Report The volunteers at Living Hope are known by their actions. For most it began with a geographical relocation. John 12:26 says, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.” In South Africa, the Lord is present, and his servants are coming to be used as tools through Living Hope to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. Volunteers at Living Hope are expected to remain loyal to and supportive of the ministry vision, as well as committed to giving his/her best, always striving to achieve and maintain a high level of excellence. Serving in humility and genuine love is what makes volunteers at Living Hope stand out. Before they know it, they have given food to the hungry, crafts to the children, medicine to the sick, and hope to hopeless. Doing work that is fulfilling and God-honoring brings change within volunteers, not only nurturing the Spirit of God within them, but also enabling them to plant that same Spirit in the hearts of the people in South Africa. With volunteering come many challenges, sacrifices, and rewards. Current volunteers have shared their experiences: “The most rewarding thing is knowing that we’re touching people’s lives eternally, making a way for Christ to be known.” Don Sayers and his family, are Canadian volunteers going on their fourth year. Don is the Monitoring and Evaluations Manager for Living Hope. “When I see lives changed for the good, I'm grateful God has allowed me to be here, and witness His work in people.” Susie Pile is from Colorado and volunteering as the Support Group Coordinator. “A challenge? Well, I have the world’s best family, and only God, only the cause of the Lord could make me leave them.” Wendy Ryan is a journalist in her second year of volunteering. “It’s gotta be the people, the volunteers that have come and gone. I have dozens of friends now all over the US and in England and in Europe and all over South Africa just because having been associated with Living Hope.” Bill Eames is a faithful volunteer, leaving four kids and six grandchildren in the States. “The truth is, you are never ready. You have to trust God will take care of what you are leaving behind.” Kristen Hellman is a short-term volunteer in the Marketing Department. In the past year Living Hope was blessed with ten teams from various regions in the United States, including California, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and Tennessee and five short term volunteers. We are blessed with six long term volunteers at this current time. Thank you to all who have come and served, enriching the programs and lives of so many at Living Hope.
Over the past 12 months the Monitoring and Evaluation department has made significant improvements in data collection, evaluating and reporting methods. As we look back over the past year we recognize that there is still much to do but improvements have been made based on the lessons learned. LHCC has recognized the need to improve our Monitoring and Evaluation tools and procedures to better evaluate our activities based on stated targets as well as collect, collate accurate, timely statistics for our donors, stakeholders and the wider community. One area of improvement is the restructuring of the Monitoring and Evaluating database. The M&E database now has the capacity to separate information by gender and area for statistics entered January 2007 onward. This improvement gives Living Hope a better picture of our gender impact as well as the ability to compare geographical areas of growth or decline for each reporting period. The goal of statistical report automation and improved inter-branch data synchronization remains a challenge. We are endeavoring to create a Web-based portal for all Living Hope’s branches to input and access statistical data in a centralized and real-time data base. This web-based portal will keep a real-time ‘single version of the truth’, simplifying the process while maintaining accuracy and timeliness in our reports to stakeholders. The web portal will also enable the data capturer and the M&E department to access the same file for editing and reporting while maintaining data integrity. This year we hosted a training day and invited PACTSA’s Data manager to present key M&E concepts, evaluating and planning tools. The one day event was well attended and has since inspired routine ‘think tank’ meetings where Living Hope uses the tools learned at the workshop to carefully and objectively evaluate its activities and impact in the community. The formation of the ‘think-tank’ meetings has inspired a culture of closer evaluation. LHCC management along with a representative group of staff and coordinators regularly come together in order to review and evaluated activities and practices with a view to make assessments and recommendations for a way forward. This ‘peer’ review process will be an ongoing management practice. The management at Living Hope are only to aware that staff training in the area of statistical reporting, monitoring principles and data integrity is an essential part of our operations
The Statistical data is attached.
Don Sayers Monitoring & Evaluation Manager
Monitoring & Evaluation Report
The figures for the Health Care Centre are similar to last years totals due to a finite capacity and longer term nature of the care patients receive. The Bed Occupancy has increased nearly 10% but new admissions is down by 24%. This increased bed occupancy with lower admissions is possible because of the increased duration of stay from 17 days last year to 26 days this reporting period – an increase of 52%.
There is a decrease of 113% of new patients for HBC’s for this reporting period with this largely attributed to Muizenberg/Westlake which is an area LHCC no longer services. This large decrease accounts for 370% decrease, increasing the average change dramatically even though most areas show moderate fluctuations year to year. Masiphumelele shows the only increase in New patients.
The number of Home Based Care visits has increased in all areas year on year. The total number of visits has increased by 73% with Muizenberg and Capricorn increasing their number of visits the most at 224%.
The enormous increase in LHCC prevention activities is in the Life Skills education outreach. The increase from 2005 to this reporting period is a staggering 403%. This increase is due to reaching children in more classrooms and a large increase in the number of children being reached during the holiday clubs in December and winter school holidays.
The Lay counselors have increased the number of clients they see in almost all areas and overall the increase is 38% for Pre test counseling. Follow up figures however are 912 for 2005 and 690 for 2006.
The Social work has seen an increase in demand on average of 36% for ‘all consultations’ – this includes the Health Care Centre, hospital, staff, family bereavement, etc. However staff consultation figures are 440 for 2005 and 245 for 2006.
The figures above combines two type of data—revenue and lunches served. The lunches served is an activity figure and typically would be included in the stats below but the high figure (6,507) renders the graphical columns flats if compared of the low figures of the other activities.
The above stats represent the bulk of other non-medical activities at the Muizenberg branch. The stats are from June 2006 to May 2007, as earlier stats were not available.
Acknowledgements We wish to acknowledge that all our programmes are made possible through the generous support of:
African Leadership
Brentwood Baptist Church
Rolling Hills Community Church
Extreme Response
iThemba AIDS Foundation
Keith M. Kallen
Mars Hill Bible Church
Modglin Family Foundation
NATRO
Power Group
DrostĂŠ Trust
Silvermine Retirement Home
PEPFAR
CIDA Funding
PAWC: Health
And all of our other sponsors too numerous to mention The Board of Trustees, Management & Staff of Living Hope Community Centre wish to thank you all and would advise everyone that the content of our programmes are the responsibility of Living Hope and do not necessarily reflect the views of our donors. Board of Trustees John Thomas (Chairman) Richard Jackson (Treasurer) Kerrin Begg Tim Leher
David Mkhwezo Barbara Robertson Wilfred Williams Robin Wood
During this year Trevor Gray stepped down from the Board of Trustees to fill the role of General Manager. Trust member Philip Mokson was killed in a tragic incident in January, 2007.