Introducing Waterberg Welfare Society (WWS)

WATERBERG WELFARE SOCIETY An Introduction

ABOUT WWS

Our mission is to help the people in our community to enjoy the best possible quality of life and to generate opportunity for young people so that they are able to make positive contributions to society and realise their ambitions Something every human being deserves

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We are an organisation born out of community need We are a grassroots organisation, shaped by members of the community and inspired by the dedication of those who have committed to helping those most vulnerable in the community – Re a Thusana – it means ‘We help each other’. It is a philosophy that runs deep, it influences everything that we do.

It is our firm belief that only by empowering individuals and families can we expect to achieve sustainable social change.

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Deeply Committed to our National Plan

National Development Plan 2030

“We have created a home where everybody feels free yet bounded to others; where everyone embraces their full potential.

We are proud to be a community that cares�

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WWS is proud to be contributing to this vision. Our work is dedicated to tackling a number of the challenges expressed in the National Development Plan for our communities in the Waterberg.

Just like the plan and its vision we have integrated the themes of gender and young people through our work and we have created dedicated programmes to help young people at the key stages of their life development.

The development of capability, acceptance of responsibility and care for the community underpin everything that we do.

Like the plan we work to a framework that guides our decisions.

We continually review and refine our framework to make sure that we are focused on doing the right things; the things that will ensure that we are aligned with the National Strategic Direction and working in collaboration with our government and partners as we address the key focus areas of the plan.

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Wherever possible and at the appropriate time we look to transfer ownership and responsibility to the people and organisations of our community.

The local context and dynamics are always taken into account when shaping our programmes and in the way we develop communication and engagement.

We will always provide care to those in need and it will remain a free service to the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our immediate vicinity.

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We always look for opportunities to partner so that we can expand the impact of our work.

The work we do and the approaches that we follow take a holistic perspective – we go beyond the obvious symptoms and effects to understand the many dynamics affecting any situation.

We develop new services and capabilities in a way that allows them to be leveraged by others through innovative business models.

Our Guiding Principles 7

Contributing to a Global Mission Tackling this epidemic is at the heart of our mission. Our work started with a simple desire to raise awareness in a community devastated

by HIV/AIDS and that continues today, 15 years later. In addition to that we have grown our capabilities through our field work and our collaboration with partners and we have developed a holistic approach to tackling this challenge.

Not only do we need to make the treatment available we also need to make sure that people – the infected and the affected – understand the importance of adhering to the treatment, the implications of not doing so – and how to live the best possible quality of life they can.

This means that they need to: Know their status Understand the implications of being HIV positive Take responsibility in their sexual relationships Persist with their treatment Set good examples to others In our programmes today we cover welfare of individuals and the community through many lenses. Our focus is still on HIV/AIDS and related life threatening diseases but we know that we can’t tackle this in isolation of the needs of the community and in particular its young people – our future.

“It will be impossible to end the epidemic with bringing HIV treatment to who need it” 90-90-90

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hout all

“Ending the AIDS epidemic will inspire broader global health and development efforts, demonstrating what can be achieved through global solidarity, evidence-based action and multisectoral partnerships�

UNAIDS, October 2014

Powerful momentum is now building towards a new narrative on HIV treatment and a new, final, ambitious, but achievable target: BY 2020

BY 2020

BY 2020

of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.

of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.

of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

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Our Work Our teams have developed significant expertise in a number of fields which we have organised into three ‘Departments’.

While each department has its specific areas of focus the three work together in a collaborative and tightly interconnected way.

The programmes we select and manage, and the services we deliver, address many different challenges within our community.

EDUCATION &AWARENESS

Department

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TREATMENT &CARE

Department

SKILLS, DEVELOPMENT& EMPOWERMENT

Department

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TREATMENT & CARE

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THIS PART OF THE ORGANISATION IS CURRENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH TREATMENT AND CARE OF PATIENTS WITH HIV/AIDS All of the expected services that are required by people suffering with this life threatening illness are available here to our community. This goes well beyond their essential medical needs and the word ‘care’ has great meaning for us.

By providing Hospice & Day respite at WWS we are able to ease the burdon for beds already stretched at the hospital.

We are proud of our multidisciplinary approach to treatment and care. It allows us to treat our patients holistically and match the service we provide not only to their medical needs but also to their personal circumstances.

Through our approach we are able to intervene at the earliest opportunity and in the right way. Wherever possible we are working to ensure that the treatment that is prescribed is given as soon as possible and that the patient adheres to the programme set for them.

We know that can be very hard for some and so we supplement the medicinal care we provide with counselling and a strong support network – so that no matter what the challenge we will make sure that medicines are taken.

National Development Plan Progressively improve TB prevention Significantly reduce prevalence of noncommunicable chronic disease Everyone must have access to an equal standard of care 90-90-90 “HIV treatment is a unique tool in the AIDS response, preventing illness and death, averting new infections and saving money”

PROGRAMMES RESPONSIBILITIES

HOME BASED CARE

HOSPICE AND RESPITE

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OUR AIM IS ALWAYS TO GIVE PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO LIVE FULFILLED LIVES AND IN A COMMUNITY SO HEAVILY IMPACTED BY HIV/AIDS THAT REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF SENSITIVITY AND EMPATHY. It means that we have to tackle the myths and confusion, translate complex medical information into everyday language and build enormous levels of trust.

The only way we will be successful is if those infected are willing to take that first step of knowing their status. That can be a very frightening thing to do when everything you have heard so far suggests that a positive result means certain death. It also requires the support of their families – which means it is equally important that they understand the situation and why taking their medication is so important.

PROGRAMMES RESPONSIBILITIES

STEPPING FORWARD

SUPPORT GROUPS

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This requires us to really understand our patients and their challenges and to have a range of techniques to get the right information and awareness to people in the right way. A key source of information and insight is the outreach programme that we have developed in partnership with Bridges of Hope.

Through this programme we are able to get across the information that is vital to understand to minimise the risk of infection, in a way that removes the fear and confusing language. This may be a serious issue and one not to be taken lightly but that doesn’t mean education can’t be fun. We bring in role playing and interaction so that education happens in a more positive and enjoyable manner.

Our bright yellow ‘gig rig’ is well known in Vaalwater Our teams can be found at many public events, taking the message out to people in safe environments – proven to increase the likelihood that they will come forward and be tested so that they know their status.

For those who receive the unwelcome and frightening news that they are positive we have members of our team on the spot ready to provide vital counselling and guidance. From the very beginning those affected know they are not going through this alone.

This is our Stepping Forward Programme

National Development Plan Significantly reduce prevalence of noncommunicable chronic disease 90-90-90 “To put in place a comprehensive response to end the epidemic, concerted efforts will be needed to eliminate stigma, discrimination and social exclusion”

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THE EARLIER WE CAN IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES THE BETTER AND SO WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT DEDICATED TO THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THESE ARE SOMETIMES THE MOST VULNERABLE AND THE ONES WHOSE LIVES WE CAN TURN ROUND THE MOST. National Development Plan Make early childhood development a top priority All children should have at least 2 years pre-school education Between 80-90% of learners should complete 12 years of schooling and/ or vocational training

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We Live in a community where unemployment is the norm, where the stigma of HIV/AIDS is ever present and where in many cases the responsibility for bringing up the children of families rest with children.

The temptation to give in to an ‘easy’ way out is high.

This is why we run youth programmes and provide care for every child from pre-school to young adult.

Development starts at preschool age.The youngest beneficiaries of WWS spend each morning with us.

By providing a safe place for these children to play and learn we are also helping those who care for them – and in many cases it’s a brother or sister, aunt or uncle, even grandparents, rather than the natural parent.

People who have taken on this responsibility and need this precious time to manage their lives, receive their own education or earn a living.

PROGRAMMES RESPONSIBILITIES

LADIES WITH MISSION LWM GAME

Vaalwater doesn’t offer very many recreational facilities and sometimes the lack of anything constructive to do leads to young people succumbing to temptation.

fittest. We offer these vulnerable young people an alternative path. Over the years we have developed youth programmes that have had a lasting impact on many lives.

So many have ended up battling with drugs and alcohol problems and dependencies that end up seeing them on a downward spiral where crime and violence become just a way of life – a matter of survival of the

Some of these programmes are gender specific – we understand the different challenges and needs of our young men and women and make sure that they are supported in the right way to each play their part in shaping their community and creating opportunity for themselves.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

DROP IN CENTER

BOYS 2 MEN B2M FOOTBALL CLUB

GRASS ROOTS SOCCER

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We are a Family One of the most powerful things about our programmes is that the people running them have all been touched in some way by the challenges we deal with.

They have faced tough choices, suffered extreme hardship and come through everything with their self-belief and selfrespect not only intact, they have become ambassadors in their community and some have gone on to University or started their own businesses.

The majority of people who become involved with WWS never fully leave us, some have turned down attractive offers of employment and dedicated themselves to giving back to their community.

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We are justifiably proud of them and it reinforces our commitment to keep growing as an organisation and to always respond in the right way to meet local needs.

Our aim is for WWS to remain an organisation for the community, run by the community.

Alongside this however we want to make it possible for other organisations – whether for profit, government or fellow NPO’s – to leverage the capabilities that we have developed.

This is an important part of our strategy and one that is now starting to become a reality.

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National Development Plan The proportion of adults in rural areas working should rise from 29% to 40%

The Empowerment Centre THE EMPOWERMENT CENTRE MARKS AN IMPORTANT NEW MILESTONE IN OUR EVOLUTION

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NOW WE CAN DO SOMETHING MORE THAN DREAM ABOUT THAT VISION AND POTENTIAL We have always seen the opportunities for us to play a part in helping people develop their own businesses.

Several of our own projects have long held the potential for further development and to have an identity of their own.

At the time of publication we are busy establishing our new Empowerment Centre. Built by WWS on our own land we will use this new building to provide the basic infrastructure for a small number of new micro businesses to start up.

Coming Soon - Waterberg Waves Community Radio

With our support and training from experts in cooperatives and small business development they will have the opportunity to make their own visions a reality.

This is as exciting for WWS as it is for the new business owners. For us it also signifies a new business model as we will earn revenue from the leasing of the infrastructure, allowing us to help more people in more ways.

And we can look forward to seeing our community blossom as more opportunities lead to better quality of life and more reasons to invest in this region.

The Waterberg Waves Community Radio Station will connect the local community with many activities and events that often go unnoticed yet have a positive impact on the community daily lives.

The addition of this communications channel will provide a valuable resource to our current programmes as well as to our community.

The introduction of a local station provides a voice for those living in the Waterberg, strengthening and empowering those who have previously gone unheard.

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EDUCATION &

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JULY LET

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ZACHARI

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LESIBA M A

Meet the Team

IN THE WORDS OF OUR CEO Work can mean many things – a response to a calling, something we do out of our own good will, employment in return for a salary and partnering in community development.

WWS works with the marginalised, underprivileged and vulnerable communities, most of whom have given up hope due to lack of employment opportunities and constant disease challenges.

We already do many things that we are proud of – providing the opportunity for our beneficiaries to take the lead in running the

organisation, developing the right work ethics and mentality, understanding and meeting our obligations with our partners, developing and retaining the required skills for the benefit of the organisation, and making sure that we have effective systems and procedures in place.

These intentions represent the strategic direction that we will be taking here at WWS:

Against all odds we have seen hope restored in communities and we believe that many of our practices would be valuable to others tackling similar challenges.

We are excited to be able to start sharing what we have learned along our journey with others.

Managing, retaining and growing established relationships with WWS partners

Building more partnerships locally with both private and public entities Building a sustainable organisation

Running impactful advocacy programmes for the work WWS does

“We look forward to an inspiring and valuable future” Lesiba Masibe

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National Development Plan “Our new story is open ended with temporary destinations, only for new paths to open up once more�

Our Work is Evolving Maintaining WWS and continuing to develop opportunities for our community as well as shape new life saving programmes requires continued investment and revenue generation.

We take our responsibility to become semi self-sufficient seriously but we know realistically that we will also always depend on the generosity and foresight of others.

We are fortunate to have a highly supportive network of partners who share our ambitions and as we grow our services and capabilities we will be very interested in exploring new relationships and ventures that will ensure we are able to guarantee this region the future it deserves.

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c copyright group partners 2015

Contacts: Lesiba Masibe (CEO) E: wwslesiba@gmail.com T: + 27 (0) 14 755 3594 M: + 27 (0) 83 576 4522 Zachariah Sekhu (Skills, Empowerment & Development) E: wwszach@gmail.com T: + 27 (0) 14 755 3633 M: + 27 (0) 72 889 1464 July Letsebe (HIV Education & Awareness) E: wwsjuly@gmail.com T: + 27 (0) 14 755 3646 M: + 27 (0) 72 839 5679 Sister Annah Mubunda (Treatment & Care) E: wwsannah@gmail.com T: + 27 (0) 14 755 3646 M: + 27 (0) 72 839 5679 Penkie Ditsela (Finance Manager) E: wwspenkie@gmail.com T: + 27 (0) 14 755 3594 M: + 27 (0) 72 900 1867

Postal: PO Box 1029, Vaalwater 0530, Limpopo Province, South Africa Address: 209 Waterberg Street,

Vaalwater 0530, Limpopo Province, South Africa NPO Registration: 019-865 NPO

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