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HEALTH

Our primary effort in health services is our partnership with Grassroot Soccer to educate the youth of the Karoo in HIV/AIDS awareness. In addition, our interaction with local health care professionals brings caring and treatment to those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Grassroot Soccer (GRS) HIV Prevention

Grassroot Soccer's (grassrootsoccer.org) innovative approach to fighting HIV uses soccer as the vehicle to engage children, and at the same time, provides education on life skills and healthy behavior.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  1. Educating all youth grades 7-12 in the GRS Skillz curriculum.
  2. Expanding the GRS Skillz curriculum, with Rotary support, to the youth of Colesberg and De Aar.
  3. Training local youth leaders to be GRS coaches in Richmond, Colesberg and De Aar.
  4. Encouraging teachers to use the GRS Skillz curriculum in their classrooms.
  5. Sponsoring World AIDS Day activities.
  6. Conducting HIV testing and counseling.
  7. Providing housing and transportation for GRS volunteers.

Upgrading Local Health Care Options

Our efforts to augment the local healthcare system are moving steadily forward through the interactions of our health outreach team with the sisters (nurses), volunteers, and hospice workers in the Richmond community. Doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other healthcare providers in the United States have come forward to volunteer their time and skills to assess needs and provide assistance.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  1. Conducting health assessments to hundreds of households.
  2. Identifying and supplying ongoing medical needs including durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, canes, and crutches; as well as simple items in chronic shortage such as disposable gloves, antifungal meds and bandage materials. Additional supplies that are provided include Bactrim, fluconazole tablets, Cipro and Coban.
  3. Providing training and support to staff who do weekly visits to HIV patients.
  4. Supporting GRS efforts in HIV testing and counseling.
  5. Facilitating better communication among the existing health care providers to coordinate and improve services.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Read the Updated Work Plan for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders & Prevention in the Karoo

Download this important report on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Additional Information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.