Finalist
Investing in Life Award
Ndlovu Care Group
The Ndlovu Care Group, a non-governmental organisation operating in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, has touched thousands of lives since its establishment in 1994.
So far this year it has conducted more than 4 500 HIV tests, helped at least 1 300 of those tested with antiretroviral treatment and assisted more than 200 HIV-positive pregnant women with prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission treatment.
The group's vision is to provide comprehensive healthcare, child care and sustainable community services. It employs 200 people in mostly rural communities.
Chief operating officer Christine Roberts said a host of this year's achievements focused on vulnerable children. It enrolled 300 children at preschools, built four homes for child-headed households and renovated two others and it screened and assisted more than 1 000 children in its dental health programme.
Ndlovu initiated a sporting event for the disabled in Elandsdoorn in Limpopo and hosted an HIV counselling and testing campaign for farm workers. The Ndlovu Youth Choir was invited to perform in the Netherlands in September. Sixteen youngsters from a rural community went overseas for the first time and sang their hearts out.
Two employees also travelled to New York, where they were recognised by the Global Business Coalition as Frontline Heroes in the HIV/Aids field. Roberts said the organisation plans to "extend the reach of all our programmes to influence more people positively through our clinical and community services".
Changing sexual behaviour patterns is an important focus area for the group. "A number of studies and interventions have already been implemented to encourage and measure risky sexual behaviour change in youths in the Moutse East area of Limpopo," said Roberts. Grassroots groups should partner the government and "shift from developing localised stand-alone sites to supporting the provincial regional health systems".
The biggest challenge is creating sustainability of projects, she said. "Due to the challenging economic climate, many funders are tightening their belts. "This poses a threat to Ndlovu as we are dependent on funder support for the existence and operation of many of our programmes.
"The government's support would lead to a more sustainable future. "We want to apply our unique capabilities and experience to assist the government to achieve the national strategic plan to combat HIV/Aids," she said.
The judges commended Ndlovu for its many achievements so far and encouraged the group to find ways to expand its healthcare programmes.