Epilepsy SA – Free State & North West Branch works towards the best treatment and care for people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities.
We are unique in that we provide 24 hour medical and residential care services to adults with various disabilities in the Northern Free State. We also have a community development team that reach out into the rural areas providing support and education to people with disabilities. Other programmes include public awareness and training, HIV/AIDS Education to people with disabilities, a volunteer programme, protected workshops and two stimulation centres. Our office in the North West Province focuses on education and advocacy work and is situated in Vryburg.
Epilepsy SA – Free State & North West Branch works towards the best treatment and care for people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities.
Although Epilepsy is our main focus area, being situated in a rural environment means that we give attention to people with other disabilities as there are limited service providers in the region.
Our goals are:
To create opportunities for people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities by providing accessible developmental services to ensure that they are integrated into society, enjoying equal opportunities with the necessary support and care.
To formulate and implement internal policy and programmes relating to all matters of epilepsy, incorporating the participation of people with and effected by epilepsy and/or other disabilities;
To positively influence provincial and local policy and legislation impacting on the lives of people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities;
To develop and implement good governance practices in the Branch
We were also one of the founding members of the Disability Info Line established in the Free State. The only province to offer such a service.
The branch office and residential care centre is situated in Parys and our satelite office is in Vryburg, in the North West Province.
Our branch is registered as a Non Profit Organisation in terms of The Nonprofit Organisations Act 71 of 1997 (Registration no 003-970) and as Approved Public Benefit Organisation (Registration no 930002261) in terms of Section 10(1) & Section 18A of the Income Tax Act no. 58 of 1962.
Epilepsy South Africa is a dynamic organization providing developmental services nationally to promote equal opportunities for people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities.
RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTRE:
Our Residential Care Centre cares for 80 adults with disabilities. These disabilities are far ranging and many of our residents have multiple ones. The range cover epilepsy, mild to profound intellectual disability, people with disability since birth such as down syndrome and hydrocephalus, people with speech impairments, physically disabled, wheelchair users, and psychiatric disabilities such as schizophrenia.
The Centre offers accommodation, a stimulation programmes for frail residents, a safe working environment for stronger residents, social work services, medical care, a clinic and the provision of basic needs of food, safety and physical care.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Community Development takes place in the Fezile Dabi Municipality, also known as the Northern Free State and covers the Ngwathe- district incorporating the towns of Orangeville, Denneysville, Heilbron, Koppies, Edenville, Parys, Tumahole & Vredefort/Mokwallo and the Moqhaka District incorporating Kroonstad, Steynsrus & Viljoenskroon.
With community development we are involved in support groups, provision of assistance to less established community based organisations, economic empowerment through the establishment of income generation projects.
VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are extensively used within the organisation to assist frail residents, work in the residential care facility, awareness programs, fundraising and to assist with home based care and general nursing care.
EDUCATION/ADVOCACY:
People with epilepsy and other disabilities are still discriminated against. They are as many myths about epilepsy as there are about HIV/AIDS. A great deal of our work is the promotion of the Rights of People with Disability. This is done through training, awareness campaigns and the organisation of workshops.
CLINIC:
The centre runs a grade 1 clinic that cares for the medical well-being of residents, out patients and step down patients. It can accommodate 6 people, 4 for general admission and 2 for specialized medical care.
STIMULATION CENTRE:
This centre caters mainly for the frail residents. Each resident has a programme worked out by occupational therapists which is followed. In addition Playball sessions are held twice a week. We also provide day care for disabled frail people from the local community.
SAFE WORKING ENVIROMENT:
Many of our residents are able to work in a protected environment. We therefore employ them within the centre to assist in our vegetable garden, kitchen, laundry and as cleaners for the flatlets. In addition we run a garden service and a succulent nursery manned by people with disabilities.
DAY CLIENTS:
The Residential Care Centre runs a programme for disabled people from the community. Our 35 day clients come to the centre where they are taught skills and are placed in basic employment together with our residents.
SOCIAL WORK SERVICE:
Each resident has a care plan that is worked out together with the resident’s family where possible. It is a reality that some of our residents have been abandoned by their families and we are the only carers that they have. Our social worker ensures that these care plans are implemented. In addition group work focusing on life skills is done with the residents.
VRYBURG OFFICE:
In 2004 we extended our services to the North West Province. Here the focus of the work is advocacy, support and education.
MOKWALLO:
Mokwallo is an area just outside of Vredefort in the Northern Free State. Here we run a day care centre, offering a stimulation programme to people with multiple disabilities. They are taught basic life skills and participate in hand work activities.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT:
In order to offer the best care to people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities our staff undergo intensive training. We have our own Skills Committee that strives to ensure that the knowledge base within the branch is of the highest standard.
HOME BASED CARE, HEALTH PROMOTION & MENTAL HEALTH:
We received funding from the Free State Provincial Department of Health for this projects as part of the EU Partnership for Delivery of Primary Health Care including HIV & AIDS. We have 39 volunteers. Recently we were involved in a TB Free Awareness Day!!
The DOME BUSINESS HUB:
On 11 December 2009, we officially opened the doors of 'The Dome Business Hub'. The aim of this project is to create opportunities and employment for young & upcoming artists and entrapeneurs from the local community. The Dome Business Hub houses a coffee shop, bakery, soap and candle manufacturing and is an outlet for the produce of Dome Veggies and local artists and craftsmen.
NDA FOOD SECURITY PROJECT:
Funding for the establishment of 15 community vegetables gardens has been provided for by the National Development Agency. This is a two year project focusing on the socialisation and economic empowerment of people with disabilities and women. The project includes training people in vegetable gardening, food preservation and small enterprise management and through this, eventually the establishment of a co-op.
HIV & AIDS:
People with disabilities are extremely vulnerable to HIV. The Department of Health has provided funding for us to do education, awareness and communication. We were chosen for this project due the link between epilepsy and AIDS. We have also done awareness programmes with our staff and residents on HIV and AIDS. The results of which has been a great awareness on the need to have oneself tested… and this is the next step, the provision of opportunities for voluntary testing.
OUTREACH to OTHER ORGANISATIONS:
We realise that we are fortunate to have a long history, established programmes, a proven track record, good support from communities and the support of belonging to a national organisation. Daily we become aware of the tremendous need in the communities, especially those more rural than us and realise that we alone cannot provide services to those in need of support. Our branch therefore reaches out to CBO’s and small NGO’s to offer training and support. Training is provided in management & finances, monitoring & evaluation, marketing & fundraising, networking & advocacy, and the care and support of people with disabilities using the Rights Based Approach. We are currently assisting:
Motheo-Thuto Creche in Mokwallo (FS)
Talitha Khumi Luncheon Club in Mokwallo (FS)
Healing-Ekupholeni – Phodisong Home Centre in Tweeling (FS)
Lokgabeng Disabled Centre in Taum (NW)
Reatlegile Day Care Centre for the Disabled in Schwiezer – Reneke (NW)
Sebetsang Project in Heilbron (FS)
