Image updated on 04/01/2010
Image updated on 04/01/2010
The Grocott's Mail Christmas Cheer Fund was launched in early November, with a R2470 donation from GBS Mutual Bank. This year, the beneficiary of the fund is the Raphael Centre which provides support services to those infected or affected by HIV/Aids.
Donations can be handed in at the Grocott's Mail reception desk where you will be issued with a receipt or, if you would prefer to make an online contribution to the fund, please make an Electronic Funds Transfer to FNB account number 52322003436, branch code 250655. NB: please use 'Christmas Cheer Fund' as the reference.
This year's beneficiary, the Raphael Centre, is an organisation dedicated to helping those who are living with HIV/Aids.
The centre was established in 1999 and has been assisting people in Grahamstown and the surrounding areas ever since. The Raphael Centre's director, Jabu van Niekerk said that thousands of people have been helped in some way, whether by receiving counselling, testing, social support, food support or a much needed hug.
Among the past achievements accomplished by the Raphael Centre include:
– Becoming the first licensed non-medical testing site in Grahamstown; Expanding prevention education and services to reach more than a thousand people each month;
– Developing partnerships and working relationships with Rhodes University, the Anglican Diocese of Grahamstown, Settlers Hospital and municipal primary healthcare clinics;
– Establishing skills youth camps for orphans and vulnerable children.
Some of the activities the Raphael Centre counsellor's are involved in include:
– Discussions on how to live a healthy life with HIV;
– Exercises with clients in practise of healthy living;
– Holding handiwork and art classes;
– Candlelight ceremonies where candles are lit for loved ones who have died from HIV;
– Door to door visits and school outreach campaigns where they deliver the message of prevention, including abstinence.
Children, whose lives have been directly affected by HIV, come to the centre after school. A number of Rhodes students volunteer on different days of the week, and mentor some of the children. A number of learners from Victoria Girls' High School also help at the centre.
The Raphael Centre clients partake in various projects while they also receive food parcels from the centre. The centre is currently running a project with the clients where they grow and look after their own vegetable garden.
