ThembaCare Athlone is an 18 bed pediatric palliative care hospice. ThembaCare Athlone provides safe care for children suffering from HIV/AIDS or other life threatening diseases.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

March News

Busy, busy, busy! That is how the last few weeks at ThembaCare can be described. Full of interaction between our growing & developing children, the mothers of some of our children, the carers, music therapist, our 2 new volunteers and weekly visits from the UCT Speech & Language therapists and medical students.

As everyone has gotten back into the swing of a ‘normal’ routine, recovering from the busy festive season, here at ThembaCare it is wonderful to hear what would be considered a ‘Joyful’ noise…no one can deny that the sound of a happy, laughing child brings a smile to one’s face in an instant and as pictured above, on a daily basis, what looks like a room full of individuals (big and small) and lots of toys all over the place is the environment created to provide support & stimulation for our little ones to grow strong in all forms, physically, mentally & developmentally.  This has included having the moms of 6 of our children involved in the daily activities, bonding with their babies and also assisting in the care taking of the other little ones, with everyone being kept busy and involved with each other.

While our little ones have been developing in all spheres, ThembaCare has discharged 5 children during the month of February. What wonderful news! That these children whom we have come to know and have made their way into our hearts are able to make a new start, happier & healthier. One little girl who has been a part of the ThembaCare family for a long time was discharged into the care of her mother after being really ill, where weight gain and health progress was poor, but left ThembaCare smiling, playing and interacting, giving us hope that she continue to grow and be well. Then there were our two beautiful sisters who came to ThembaCare together, and with the hard work of the TCA team, especially our social worker, they were transferred to a place of safety together as well. These two girls did everything together, from playing together, attending crèche together to even helping our carers take care of the smaller babies together. It is visible to see that their bond was developing and we hope and pray it is a sisterly bond that will never be broken.The other two girls who were discharged were placed in an emergency place of safety and discharged into the care of her family, respectively. Girl power all around here!                                         Having discharged these girls, we have also welcomed a 3 month old little boy and 2 girls who are 8 months and 1year, 10 months  old respectively and is clear to see that their different personalities bring their own elements to the ThembaCare family. 


Adding on some more wonderful news, we were thrilled to welcome back our project manager, Nomakula Mrubata (pictured left), who had taken some time off to have quite a big operation. She was expected to be recovering at home for 6 weeks, but she surprised us all by returning back to ThembaCare weeks earlier than expected, and we have to say that she is looking bright and beautiful and we are glad that she is doing so well. We will continue to keep her in prayer that her road to complete recovery will be successful and of comfort.






ThembaCare had an official visit from the Provincial Department of Health (DOH), a group of 5 ladies inspecting the facility, speaking to various members of staff regarding their role, services provided within the facility and beyond, reviewing budgets and policies & procedures being implemented and adhered too, looking at aspects such as hygiene, administration and note taking/file keeping. Feedback given from Nomakula was nothing but positive & filled with praise. These ladies were so impressed with the facility as a whole it was said that they were learning from us, taking away with them systems & procedures that they never expected from us and that they can use to implement in their work, as well as other facilities. Teamwork, fulfilling your specific role and having good management brings success and this is what “sets ThembaCare above and beyond, apart from the rest” as quoted by Nomakula in our feedback meeting.  A huge thank you goes out to all the staff  of ThembaCare for playing their part in making our facility one of such high standard and recommendation.  
                                                                                                                                                        
With so much good news all round, one cannot help but smile, have a song in your heart and know that with such passion in caring for our sick and recovering little ones, this is the place we are meant to be!
 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment