A Holistic Approach
Our holistic approach to care has evolved from our desire to relieve suffering and our yearning to enrich life. Mashambanzou’s care is multi-dimensional, team-based and collaborative at its core.Community education
Lack of awareness can silence people, and magnify the pain of stigma and discrimination. The individual, the family and the community all suffer where insensitivity and confusion prevail. At Mashambanzou we integrate education about HIV, human rights and issues of gender into all of our programmes, specifically to target the attitudes and perceptions that feed the scourge of stigma and discrimination.Outreach teams
The multi-disciplined care teams within Mashambanzou work closely with community volunteers. Together with the community, these care teams identify, care for and refer to other facilities, those who are in urgent need of care and support.Vulnerability
The outreach teams use a disciplined criterion of vulnerability to refer those in need to clinics and other community-based support services.Community volunteers
Community volunteers are the catalyst for Mashambanzou’s progress. It is through the volunteers’ efforts that Mashambanzou is able to expand and provide quality care and services to so many vulnerable households. The volunteers are committed to uplifting their communities and bettering the lives of the sick and poor. They lead by example and instil within the community a sense of responsibility, compassion and respect.Collaboration
Mashambanzou collaborates with local authorities, health clinics, hospitals, the department of social welfare, schools, community groups, churches and numerous other nongovernmental organisations. Through collaboration and networking Mashambanzou is able to successfully achieve much more than it could ever achieve through its own efforts. Mashambanzou is committed to good communication and good working relationships with its network partners.
NYASHA
"My name is Nyasha Dera. I am a girl aged 12 and I am doing Grade 6 in Epworth. I live with my grandmother. She is old and does not have a job. We have a small piece of land but it doesn't produce enough to feed us. My mother passed away in 2002 at Mashambanzou Care Unit. I never knew my father.
After my mother's death, I was referred to Mashambanzou Orphan Outreach team. They are now assisting me with a monthly food pack, school fees, books and uniforms. Sometimes I get toiletry and clothes. I am doing very well at school. Last term I was in third position out of forty-six learners.
When I grow up I want to be a Doctor so that I can find a cure for
AIDS.
I thank Mashambanzou for giving me a hope for a better future."