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ANNUAL REPORT LIVING HOPE COMMUNITY CENTRE 1 APRIL 2005 – 31 MARCH 2006 N.P.O 012-587 Introduction I am pleased to report that the Living Hope Community Centre has had a year of significant growth in which we moved from the “pioneer” stage to a more formalized and structured organization. We have expanded in the following areas:
Living Hope’s staff has grown from 55 persons to a current level of 83 full time employees and 7 volunteer missionaries. The Hospice is in the process of accreditation with the Hospice Association. A Monitoring & Evaluation Department has been established to ensure good governance and reporting standards. There has been major expansion in the Prevention Education and Life Skills programmes Home Based Care services have been further expanded and improved. The Ocean View branch has been strengthened and, last October, the Ocean View branch House was commissioned. A formal branch was inaugurated in Masiphumelele. In both the Hospice and the community, counselling programmes have been developed. New client support groups were started and existing ones improved. PEPFAR/USAID funding began and this helped our overall growth.
It is to the credit of all the staff within Living Hope that services have not only been maintained but developed within the various communities of the Deep South Peninsula of Cape Town. Dr. Jim Walker, our General Manager who succeeded Professor Barbara Robertson, continued the work of Living Hope Community Centre during this challenging growth phase.
Hospice The Hospice admitted its first patient on 3rd January 2005. During this past year it has alternated between averages of 10 to 15 patients a day. Admission to the Hospice is based on: Patients who are terminally ill. Patients who are admitted for respite care, so families and care givers can have some relief. Patients who require nutritional and other support, particularly those suffering from HIV/AIDS and TB. Symptomatic management and control needs. Bed occupancy was approximately 60% while the average length of stay was 17 days. Two hundred and fifty eight (258) patients were admitted and there were 24 deaths over this period. We were thrilled to see many extremely sick patients get well and discharged into a relatively normal lifestyle. The Social Worker assisted and counselled clients and family members. One of our ‘success stories’ says: “Living Hope Hospice is a castle in which I was a king.” Other highlights included:
LHCC joined the Hospice Association (HPCA). The Hospice staff took patients on several outings to scenic and historic places. A moving Candle Lighting Tree Ceremony for families who had lost their loved ones. Hospice staff, clients, families and guests attended the Hospice First Anniversary celebration in November. Staff attended training courses in Bereavement Counselling, Palliative Care and Team Building programmes.
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Hospice Statistics for the period 1 April 2005 – 31 March 2006 Admissions
New Patients
Discharges
Deaths
258
176
135
24
No. of Beds Active 4385
Average Stay (Days) 17
Bed Occupancy 60%
Social Work The social worker: Deals with the psycho-social needs of the patients, their family members and/or significant others through counselling by addressing the different emotional stages that people go through as they adjust to a terminal disease; Assesses the patient’s social, economic and physical circumstances by exploring the social functioning of the family and the patient, their financial situation and physical circumstances at home and provides practical guidance and assistance when necessary; Evaluates the impact of the disease on the patient, relatives and /or significant others; Interprets the data to team members when necessary; Conducts groups with staff and patients debrief findings, teaches self worth concepts and leads team building exercises. Homes are visited and telephonic consultations held. These are done either because of a situation in the families of patients; as follow up with a patient once he or she leaves the Hospice; through referrals from the local communities, clinics, and False Bay Hospital or the Home Based Carers. Referrals are also received from the Hospice at Capri and from Home Based Carers in Ocean View, Masiphumelele and Muizenberg. Debriefing sessions are conducted with the Hospice staff when patients die. Regular weekly support group meetings are held with the patients. These consist of Bible reading and sharing around the Word of God. Social work intervention at the Hospice also involves work with staff on a personal level when the need arises. When there are difficult cases, HIV and AIDS Lay Counsellors are encouraged to go through the debriefing process. Where necessary, the Social Worker participated in those meetings. Home Visits
Hospice
Staff
92
506
440
Social Worker Other 483
Total Consultations 1521
Home-Based Care Home Based Care (HBC) services form the main Out-patient programme in Living Hope. These operate in Masiphumelele, Red Hill, Ocean View, Muizenberg and Westlake as well as other areas within the Southern Cape Peninsula. These services continue to grow and develop numerically and in the type of care given. Our HBC personnel provide basic home care, especially for patients infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. This service is expanding as patients with other ailments and diseases receive attention. They also assist city clinics and day hospitals to follow up patients who default on treatment, and provide background reports on patients and/or families. Counselling and other support (e.g. food parcels) is also given. Wound dressing clinics continue to operate in each of our Centres and a growing number of patients benefit from this service. Nursing coordinators regularly train carers who also attend special improvement programmes organized by ourselves and/or local government. A total of 11,243 visits were made to patients in their homes during the year, 2,198 patients were registered and received regular follow-up care. A total of 541 new clients were visited. In addition a further 2942 patients were treated at our Wound Dressing Clinics. (See table below.)
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Period 1 April 2005 – 31 March 2006 Regular Home-Based Care Patients already on Register Masiphumelele 706
Red Hill 309
Ocean View 941
Muizenberg/Westlake 242
Total 2,198
New Home-Based Care Patients Masiphumelele 77
Red Hill 40
Ocean View 72
Muizenberg/Westlake 352
Total 541
Home Visits Carried Out Masiphumelele 4,382
Red Hill 1,043
Ocean View 4,370
Muizenberg/Westlake 1,448
Total 11,243
Patients in Wound Dressing Clinics Masiphumelele 2,429
Red Hill No Clinic
Ocean View 407
Muizenberg/Westlake 106
Total 2,942
Home-Based Care Day was celebrated in each of the branch areas to create awareness of our services in the general public. Blood pressures, foot care and blood sugar procedures were demonstrated on these occasions. The Western Cape Health Department also organized a ceremony and a lunch in the Southern Sub-District of the Metropole to recognize, encourage and honour the work done by Home-based Care staff. Each HBC staff member received a certificate of recognition.
Lay Counsellors Our three Lay Counsellors continue to provide Pre & Post Test HIV and AIDS Counselling as well as the prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Counselling. This includes follow-up and general guidance to clients and patients in Masiphumelele. Two of the counsellors are based in the Nomzamo Clinic (Masiphumelele) and one at False Bay Hospital. Our Hospice Social Worker, Jess Ollis, has provided a mentorship and debriefing programme to motivate, encourage and develop these Lay Counsellors who experience a great deal of stress in their day-to-day duties. An evaluation of their services, including their roles and responsibilities, is an ongoing process so that they can play a more meaningful role within the Nomzamo Clinic and community. Our Counsellors are also involved in assisting in HIV and AIDS Support Group programmes. Lay Counsellors Pre Test Clients Post Test Clients Follow-up Counselling for HIV + Clients General Counselling Translations for Doctors/clients Support Group Clients Support Group Sessions Health Education Sessions
2,180 2,142 912 658 672 41 27 106
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Prevention/Health Education Programme Our Prevention service continues to promote a Life Skills programme which emphasizes Abstinence and Being Faithful. In the past year, this service improved markedly because new staff appointments grew our team of educators from two to six. This along with more funds helped us to expand the Prevention programmes into Muizenberg, Capricorn, Ocean View and Red Hill. Our teachers continue to run after-school children’s clubs in Masiphumelele. The four new Life Skills educators extended and helped develop the entire Prevention programme. As a result: Children’s Clubs were established in Ocean View and a very successful 3-week long Dec./Jan. holiday club was held. A children’s Club began in Red Hill. Entrance was gained into Kalk Bay, Simons Town and greater Muizenberg area schools An adult HIV and AIDS Awareness Course was conducted with 12 Sangomas (traditional healers.) Prevention-AB Masiphumelele Ocean View Muizenberg
Male 97 31 184
Female 102 30 223
Unknown
Totals
312
355
120
120
Totals 199 181 407 787
Our Life Skills Educators were trained by the AIDS Training & Information Counselling Centre (ATICC), Scripture Union and YMCA. Our teacher/life skills educators continue to meet to develop curricula, resource material and to strategize. We are most excited at the opportunities to gather with the children and teens to encourage a change of lifestyle through application of Biblical values and life skill training and education. Our adult program is progressing.
Spiritual Ministry Chaplain, Nobuntu Matholeni continues to counsel patients, conduct staff devotions, visit homes and facilitate support groups. Although we have only one chaplain at present, this ministry is of paramount importance and one of the reasons why Living Hope exists. Since the Hospice opened its doors in January 2005, our Chaplain has led church services there on Sunday afternoons. This is a highlight in the week because it gives patients, families, volunteers and staff a chance to hear how much God loves them. Special services have been conducted to pray for specific healing and /or help for patients. Individual counselling continues and clients see our Chaplain for spiritual needs and also as someone they can trust for confidential matters and other problems. She finds it is a privilege to be trusted by the people she serves. The number of support groups run by our Chaplain has increased during the last year. Clients are involved and assist in Bible study and discipleship training. They want to know more about God and have the assurance they are loved by Him. At least every other day, she visits the patients in the Hospice and continues to visit others in False Bay Hospital and has conducted consultations not included in the formal statistics. A group of Sangomas (traditional healers) approached our Chaplain for information and assistance with HIV and AIDS in January 2005. Professor Barbara Robertson taught a weekly course for them from February to April 2005 which gave them the medical information. Our Chaplain translated and led the group in devotions before each session. They all expressed interest in the devotional part of the course. One member of the group subsequently made a commitment to Jesus Christ. A second group of Sangomas have asked us for the same assistance.
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5 A unique and significant HIV and AIDS graduation ceremony was held at Capri, attended by pastors from Masiphumelele and Ocean View. Another door opened at our wound dressing clinic. We began a soup kitchen for waiting patients. Our chaplain uses this as an opportunity to talk to them about God as they enjoy their meal. Funds for a second Chaplain have been granted and arrangements are being made to recruit someone for this post.
Nutritional Enhancement
1009 food parcels were distributed to patients for the period. 9190 lunches were served to the homeless.
Community Development
A successful jewellery and card-making project continues with 14 HIV and AIDS persons. This group has grown in confidence and their standard of living has improved. Funds were obtained from the City Health Department of Cape Town for a garden project at Capri. The gardens have provided fresh vegetables, some of which have been sold in the market. At the Muizenberg branch a number of craft projects continue. A “repair shop” is being developed to equip clients with skills that will enable them to obtain outside employment. The shop selling their products has been relocated and refurbished within the main building. Market opportunities grew as we established an outlet via WorldCraftsVillage.com in the USA. The homeless continue to receive a mid-day meal in Muizenberg and are encouraged to join in devotions and craft and job creation activities. Our Muizenberg branch has taken on the responsibility of sweeping Muizenberg Village streets. This program is funded by the Muizenberg Improvement District. The food parcel programme continues to be organized by retired men’s group from St. Margaret’s Church.
Finances Details of these are attached in our Audited Statements. Our thanks go to Deloitte and Touche, our auditors, for their complimentary audit of our books.
Conclusion The Trustees that served during this period were: Dr. Kerrin Begg, Mr. Trevor Gray, Mr. Richard Jackson, Mr. Tim Leher, Mr. David Mkwezo, Rev. Phillip Mokson, Dr. Michael Mol, Prof. Barbara Robertson, Rev. John Thomas, Mr. Wilfred Williams, Prof. Robin Wood. We extend our gratitude to them for their valuable advice and services. A special note of thanks goes to all our funders, our staff and helpers who make this all possible. It is wonderful to see what has been accomplished as each person has done their part. Living Hope continues to meet its original objectives to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; to work for the prevention, care and treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS and in community development.
J. V. Thomas Chairperson of the Board
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