May News

The beginning of May started off on a bitter-sweet note here at ThembaCare, Athlone. The last day of April was ended off by saying good-bye to 2 staff members who had been such an integral part of the TCA family.  

Priscilla Williams (pictured below), the administrator of TCA, the first person one would come into contact with when entering the facility and being greeted with the warmest, friendliest smile & the ‘go to’ person for everything, who was with us for almost 8 years bid us farewell to take up a new position within a primary school in the education department. This is an indication that Priscilla does her job so well & effectively and that her passion for children is visible that she was successful in receiving this position. 

We then simultaneously also bid farewell to Rudo Nzanza (pictured below), the HR manager of the Thembalitsha Foundation, who was based at ThembaCare, Athlone. A kind individual, always willing to help wherever she could and with a wonderful smile who always contributed to the joyful atmosphere of ThembaCare. She has decided to take some time off to spend with her family before venturing out into the working world again.

Although we were saddened to see these 2 wonderful individuals leave, we are also glad that we have come to know, work with and form friendships with them and thus we wish them all of the best in their future endeavors and continuous journey.

Priscilla Williams with that warm smile.

Always bright Rudo Nzanza (right) with project manager ,Nomakula Mrubata (left)

Journeys are a part of life and this entails the different paths we are on…and the journey our children at ThembaCare are currently embarking on is that of becoming healthy through medication, correct nutrition, developmental stimulation and the love & attention received by all the staff and families that are in contact with our little ones and even playing with each other!

Two of our little ones curious trying to figure who the other little individual is.

Through this month, ThembaCare has seen 5 discharges from the facility, a clear sign that these little ones road to recovery has been fruitful. 4 girls were discharged on the same day! 3 into the care of their mothers and 1 into the care of her aunt, all of whom have been very involved in the journey of their little ones regaining their health and engaging with their caregivers and just being toddlers. The other discharge was of a 2 almost turning 3 year old little boy, who was a part of TCA since the beginning of February 2013. His journey to discharge home to his mother has been both up and down with periods of being so weak that he could not even engage in play but thankfully has left the facility happy and healthy, willing and curious to play or see what is happening around him.

We also currently have 2 little ones who get to go home to their families for the weekends, in hope they will be discharged into their care soon.