Holistic care in South Africa
We met 10 year old Khanya when she came to the Oasis community centre in South Africa.
Both her parents died by the time she was eight and she now lives with her aunt in Johannesburg. Khanya regularly attends our after school and holiday clubs. Here she can do her homework, engage with role models and learn life skills in a safe environment.
When her aunt became pregnant, Khanya brought her along to our antenatal clinic. Her aunt was supported by the community health workers during her pregnancy and her baby has been immunised at our regular clinics. Khanya's aunt also approached us when her husband left her and she struggled with depression. We arranged counselling for her and still see her at least once a month.
This is just one example of what holistic care means to the families we work with in South Africa. A child at our after school club is never just a disconnected child; a mother bringing her baby to be immunised is never just that. Each person is part of a family, a community, and might be facing so many challenges at home.
There are many families like Khanya and her aunt, desperate and struggling to cope with extremely challenging circumstances.