June 2022.

A group of twelve students, drawn from the Witzenberg area, recently graduated from a six-month Care Workers Training Programme, designed to develop youth employment opportunities in home-based care. Whatsmore, seven of the students have since been offered permanent work placements at local schools and hospices.

Funded by Perdekraal East Wind Farm and implemented by Vrolike Vinkies in consultation with Gratia Academic, this accredited training initiative has created local capacity to help both children and the elderly.

“As part of our focus, we provide assistance to community-based organisations in developing programmes for the youth. This initiative is especially tailored to help community members who are ill at home and choose not to stay in a hospital, as well as learners who need assistance at school,” said Jo-Anne Brown, Economic Development Manager at Perdekraal East Wind Farm

A need for more home-based care workers was identified as a result of the CV-19 pandemic, which saw Vrolike Vinkies Educare faced with the shortage of childcare workers to provide home-based care for children with disabilities.

“This support has had a huge impact in our community. In addition to caring for children, the care workers took part in the CV-19 vaccine drive for sick and unregistered people,” added Brown.

During the training, which commenced a year ago, the students completed three months of theory work and three months of practical work at various institutions. Upon completion of their theory work, four of the students were placed at local schools as Assistant Practitioners, while the rest went on to complete their practical work training.

“I am grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity because I would not have been able to afford a course like this otherwise. My experience with this programme not only gave me an education, but it also gave me a job after being unemployed for some time. During the course, we got to learn how to put up a drip for a patient; take their blood pressure; change their urine catheter; treat bedsores; and do first aid,” concluded Racheal Fortuin, one of the graduates.