HOW DOES ISUBILO DO ITS WORK?
SECTION ONE
Isubilo is engaged in numerous interventions in response to the needs of the local communities.
Every client under Isubilo's care, whether referred by the local clinic, by local churches or already on the waiting list, is individually assessed over several
detailed interviews.
Isubilo was started with a team of volunteers trained in Home Based Care. Many more have since been trained to visit the sick and needy in their homes, assessing the needs, helping the bedridden with bed baths and cleaning, bringing food and referring for medical treatment where necessary. Many clients have been helped to recover fully and to find a life of dignity through this service. Good relationships are built with clients and their families making it so much harder when goodbyes have to be said through premature death.
The team, mainly made up of volunteers and supervised by well trained staff, liaise closely with the Adherence, OVC, Underweight Babies departments and the Clinic so that each client gets the best help and none fall through the net.
The visiting of clients in their homes requires commitment and dedication as many are cared for on a long-term basis. Volunteers are encouraged to only take on what they can manage and are able to change their workload at any time to give the best care for the clients.
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Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Many children are malnourished and unable to go to school due to lack of funds for fees, uniforms and books. Isubilo's priority is to support them and their carers within their communities. Children are individually assessed and provided with food, medical care, uniforms, books and fees as required. Isubilo does not run an orphanage, but resources children and their carers within the community. Games, spiritual and social instruction, crafts, education and life skills are organised at the Centre several times a week with some meals provided.
Assistance with rent and food to take home are given to the most needy families. All OVCs are encouraged to grow vegetables in their gardens with the help of our agriculturist. who supplies seed, fertilizer and expert advice.
Isubilo also provides a drop-in activity centre for the children which includes a play area, library, homework room, counselling room and shower block.
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Many people have been helped with the advent of antiretroviral drugs. These have been distributed freely through government-designated clinics and hospitals alongside free initial and ongoing tests. The gradually increasing demand has put pressure on the outlets, decreasing the very necessary counselling, food for the initial period and follow-up essential to help the patients survive and adhere to the strict regime. Interrupting the taking of ARV drugs can have rapid and severe, sometimes fatal consequences.
A number of Isubilo staff and volunteers have been specifically trained to back up the government health services to give personalised follow-up with food and drug adherence programmes. High-risk clients are referred to Isubilo for an eight week programme. They are visited regularly, given food, monitored and educated on issues concerning their treatment in order to maximise the effects of their therapy. The aim is to support the client through the difficult initial period of starting ARV drugs and through information and advice, to give them a solid foundation for lifelong adherence to their treatment. Many are passed on to other programmes such as agriculture, to empower them to provide for themselves. Some need further support and are referred to the HBC department for ongoing care and treatment. Sadly some are referred too late enabling us however to have improved their quality of life in their last days.
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A full-time clinical officer, nurses and dresser give medical attention to all the clients and staff under our care. They run a well equipped clinic and dispensary at the Isubilo Centre and make house calls to back up the Home Based Care and OVC programmes. All medication including X-rays, laboratory tests and transport to the hospital are provided by Isubilo.
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Expert free dental treatment is provided for all clients and staff using a mobile dental clinic which is fully equipped with up to date instrumentation including X ray and high speed drills. Dental education is also offered to our clients which helps maintain a healthy body and attitude to life.
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A team of dedicated ladies cook nutritious meals every week day for our clients who have been admitted to hospital. They visit each client individually and feed them. Extra meals are fed to other needy patients as advised by the hospital staff. Counseling and spiritual encouragement are also given during these visits.
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Regular distributions of food are made to vulnerable groups, which include special families (under particular stress), underweight babies, widows and OVCs. Food packages are comprised of mealie-meal (staple diet), high protein foods (fish, beans, eggs), dried milk and high energy supplements as required.
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SECTION TWO
