God IS at work.....

Testimonies from the Perinatal Education Groups Reunion celebration-  

Nomphilo shared powerfully how God has helped her through her pregnancy and labour. At 16 she became pregnant, and being a severe asthmatic she was told that she would most likely have to have a Caesar, which she was very afraid of. Towards the end of her pregnancy she was hospitalized at Grey’s for observation. She went on to have a normal labour and uncomplicated delivery, which was completely unexpected. She claimed that she followed our methods of non pharmacological pain management and hardly experienced any pain. After delivery, she was able to teach all the other mothers in the ward how to bath their babies! What I loved about her testimony is that she really was giving all the glory to God, for providing the support and care she needed through Ethembeni.

Zinhle, shared how she was a member of the first ante natal class. She shared her story of extreme poverty, and the hope that she found in the group. She also told of how she would phone me up at night, and when she went into labour, how I came to see her at Northdale… She testified that she has visited the group regularly and feels welcomed and loved. We assisted her to get to Howick and obtain a birth certificate, and get a Child support grant at SASSA. She would not have been able to do it on her own (Or so she says!!)

Thobile, who has not had her baby yet, and has only attended 3 of the classes so far, shared how she felt so proud of herself. She had learned so much in our classes, that on her last visit to the clinic she was teaching the other mothers about exclusive breastfeeding and labour! Apparently the clinic sister was so impressed that she wanted to know where she was learning all this information. It really touched me to see a beautiful woman of God, bursting with pride and a sense of self worth, because she has been empowered.

Thuniywe is becoming more confident in her knowledge with each week, and she is using her skills as a coordinator and trainer effectively. Ntombizonke has assisted me on occasion as a superb translator, and she shows promise for leading group activities as she is exposed to more of our groups and learning opportunities. Both Tutu and Zonke came with me to the May Childbirth Educators Forum in Umhlanga, and I was inspired by their willingness to grab opportunities for learning. Nelly Mlotshwa has recently shown an interest in being part of our team, and she certainly brings enthusiasm and spiritual zeal to the occasion.

Successful Perinatal Support

 Perinatal Support

A visit to the Mafakatini clinic has opened new doors for us to take our perinatal education program further into the hills. We will be starting our first six week course in the clinic on the 16^th July, giving the clinic sisters an opportunity to “recruit” some ladies for our first class. It is hoped that we will be able to bring hope and the LOVE of Christ to these women who are often unsupported during their pregnancy and road to motherhood.

In Mpophomeni we celebrated this week with a reunion of the mothers that have attended the groups since our inception in June 2012. 39 women, plus their babies, and other siblings squeezed into the upstairs room at Masibambane. Thuniywe, Nellie and Zonke were also there to share in the joy. It was wonderful to share some insights into the role of mothers in the holistic development of their children, and to encourage them to PLAY with their babies! We look forward to a time in our community when children who are failing to attain their milestones will receive whatever treatment they can, so that they can become fully functioning members of our society.

When asked how Perinatal education fits in with HIV prevention my responses are always sketchy. Obviously the PMTCT and exclusive breastfeeding information that we share will help to reduce mother to child transmission. It is however that un-measurable effect of God’s love and value that these mothers will begin to feel, through our ministry. As well as our focus on bonding and parental- child relationships, that we pray will begin to instill a sense of self worth and unconditional love, that results in a generation that does not look for love and affirmation in “high risk relationships”.   

Thanks Discovery

Wellness

Equipment has been purchased (as per the 2012 Discovery Health budget) for doing wellness testing and education. We will begin doing wellness tests for Ethembeni staff members, and these will be repeated annually. We hope to provide a service to keep our staff healthy and fit.

Training feedback

Infection Control

Our star trainer, Tutu and the rest of the Infection control team will commence training of the rest of the staff, in the next few weeks. Dr Bishop has had a teaching tool designed for staff to use on Home visits, and in the Care Centre. Other infection control measures are being implemented in the care centre. Policy and minutes of meetings are available for perusal by all staff/ visitors at the Care centre.

Care Centre Updates

Care Centre

The care centre is now under the management of Sarah Colvin. We have had a good occupancy rate in May, and Dr Larsen was inundated with patients to be seen on Wednesday mornings, with us filling up an ambulance on the one day! We have had two deaths, one patient passed away peacefully, though quite unexpectedly in the CC, and another who passed away after being hospitalized.

CLINIC START-UP

Weekly clinics

 May has seen 5 families leave, and 5 new families being welcomed into the Family Centre program. This brings with it some new challenges, as a few of the children who we closed with are on ARV’s, and although very well, and compliant, it will be important to keep in touch with these boys to ensure they remain healthy.

Vitamin C tablets were handed to each child attending the FC, with a hope that this, plus our new improved menu that includes a daily dose of fruit will help us to keep some of the flu bugs away.