Vision, Mission & Aims
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 CANSA is a non-profit organisation (NPO) established in 1932 to combat and support people affected by cancer. The Mangaung area is characterised by unemployment, poverty, lack of resources and a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. To combat these challenges, partnerships were formed with the Departments of Health (DoH) and Social Development (DoSD), resulting in a new project established in 2001. This provides support to those suffering from HIV/AIDS. The DoH provides training and funding for the Community Home Based Care (CHBC), while the DoSD provides grants to those in need. 200 carers were recruited and trained to provide counselling services. This included establishing support groups and raising awareness in nine towns, creating and maintaining job opportunities.
Innovation
The holistic approach deals with all aspects of people’s lives. The importance of involvement of the community in addressing their own problems cannot be over-estimated.
Effectiveness
Of the 18 towns in the Xhariep district, half 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 and 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 and 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 and 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)
• Department of Social Development
• Hospice
• Planned Parenthood of South Africa
• ABSA
