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In the
isolated Maluti district of the Eastern Cape HIV/Aids is taking a
heavy toll. Some 60% of those who manage to make it to the only health
centre for 56 000 people, test HIV positive. The roads are very poor
and the only mobile clinic broke down four years ago. The result is
that desperately sick people can be found in every three to five huts.
They are in dire need of assistance. Most have lost whatever source of
income they might have had and their families are suffering.
But one
person does make a difference. Lerato Niklaas is a retired nurse
driven to continue her work in the community by her compassion for the
sick and poor. She co-ordinates a network of volunteers and
care-givers in the various villages dotting the hilly landscape.
Virtually every week day she visits HIV sufferers using her own
dilapidated bakkie at her own cost from her meagre pension. Apart from
giving medical attention to patients, she also acts as a councillor
and trainer of volunteers to assist the sick in their communities. She
brings food to people, cook it for them, help to arrange for state
grants and getting their personal documents in order.
Focus
accompanied Lerato on her rounds. From hut to hut we encountered
desperate stories. One example: In one household we found 17 children
and grand children living together after the death of the mother and
father. There is no guardian, no income, no food and very little
hope.
At times
Lerato can hardly bear to face another day of suffering. Then she
herself falls sick. But she forces herself to continue because she
believes she has a god given duty to assist the poor and sick.
It’s a
touching story of courage and perseverance. It is also a story of
grave concern...of how HIV/Aids and poverty combine in vicious cycle
of despair.
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