Phakamisa – South African Aids

Wandering Teacher - Nomalanga

Eunice is one of full time Monitors, beginning her journey at Phakamisa in 2004.  An expert gardener Eunice loves to teach and share her skills with the Caregivers – especially how to grow organically and she’s a fan of mulching.

“When I visit groups we start with devotions and the Word of God and then we share problems at home. I make home visits especially if someone has died, or someone is very sick.  The train the caregiver leaders when they come into Phakamisa and make sure they are teaching their groups properly. There are problems to be overcome, small gardens, little or no rain, many people don’t have ovens, so hard to cook the recipes they learn. There is a great need for children’s clothing and bread – especially in families where no adults are working.

I love working at Phakamisa and how I’ve grown in faith.  I’m married and my husband is retired and gets a small pension so my wage is important as it supports my family – two sons and 3 grandchildren”

ECD Monitor - Smangele

I started working as an ECD Monitor in 2008 – Group 5 is my area and I have 30 students I mentor. I enjoy my work, learning from Educare centres and the student teachers and incorporating into Phakamisa.  I enjoy my work which is challenging, each creche and school requiring my input in different ways.

It makes me sad that there are many vulnerable children and orphans – we can help in some ways with clothes. The reports I write are very inportant as these highlight welfare concerns so that Phakamisa can find other ways to help.

My faith in God is strong – I prayer in everything I do, asking God first, to guide and protect me. And I want to show God’s love in all that I and Phakamisa do.

Best thing about Phakamisa – its helped me, opened my eyes, taught more about praying, love – made me grow everyday.

Wandering Teacher - Nomalanga

My school is a shack in an informal settlement called Progress.  Built on a slope, the rain runs in and everything gets wet. At the end of each teaching day I pack up all my equipment in suitcases and store it with different mothers in their nearby homes.We don’t have water here so I rely on a parent to bring me a 5 litre container of water, which by being very careful lasts the day.

It’s a joy to see the children, they will come often with bad news that they want to share with me and look to me to hug and comfort them. The children really love me as their teacher. I find it hard to see the children sad, but its good that I can provide and give them some joy.

I have a happy home with a working husband and three children – a naughty three year old, and an 11 and 16 year old..