VISION
THE AWARDS CYCLE
Mangaung CANSA
Mangaung CANSA is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that was established in 1932 to combat and support people affected & infected by cancer.
The Mangaung area is characterised by unemployment, poverty, lack of
resources & a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. To combat these
challenges partnerships were formed with the Departments of Health
(DoH) & Social Development (DoSD). Resulting in a new project being
established in 2001. The project provides support to those suffering
from HIV/AIDS. The DoH provides training & funding for the
Community Home Based Care (CHBC), while the DoSD provides grants to
those in need thereof as identified by staff from CANSA. 200 CHBC
were recruited & trained in the provision of counselling services.
This included establishing support groups & raising awareness in 9
towns, creating & maintaining job opportunities.
Innovation
The holistic approach deals with all aspects of people’s lives.
While the involvement of the community in addressing their own problems
cannot be over-estimated.
Effectiveness
Of the 18 towns in the Xhariep district, 9 towns have been targeted
and accessed. 99 carers have been trained, while in each town
monitoring committees have been established. 300 patients in need have
been identified & are receiving grants. 30 carers are employed by
Old Age Homes. 150 child headed homes have been identified and are in
the process of receiving help from the DoSD. An estimated 60 patients
have been referred & linked to job creation programmes.
Poverty Impact
All 99 caregivers receive R500 per month, which impacts positively
on their families. While the 30 who have received training are employed
& are able to support their families, 9 clinics have started their
own food gardens with 500 patients benefiting from this.
Sustainability
Funding is of great concern as the allocation provided by the DoH
ends in September 2003 (the DoH has decided that there are other
projects that are more desperate for funding). Because the need
for this project is so great CANSA will carry the shortfall in
future.
Replication
Issues raised under sustainability needs to be addressed for
replication to occur.
Partnerships
- Department of Health (CHBC) [Funding]
- Department of Social Development (Funding)
- Hospice
- Planned Parenthood of South Africa
- ABSA
