Occupational therapy students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal are continuing to make a difference in the community of Kenville and Seacow Lake as part of their clinical hours programme. Three students, Nombuso Mahlase, Thobeka Mbuyazi and Ammarah Sheik, were welcomed by the staff and community at the Seacow Lake Clinic when they started on 27 September.
Mahlase said they will be at the clinic until 29 October and they have since taken over from the previous group’s projects, which include helping out with the local crèches, primary and secondary schools. “We also are looking after the vegetable garden and the Kite project. The Kite project is where we sell pre-loved clothing to the community and the funds raised are used to buy materials which will be used to maintain and develop the projects. Some of the funds raised are given to the volunteers so that they put bread on the table for their families,” she added. “Other projects that we run are the maternal health groups, moms and toddlers and Jumbo tyres of which we collect second-hand tyres and make chairs for the crèches. All our projects are well received by the communities,” said Mahlase.
Thobeka Mbuyazi, who heads a new project, Zenzele DIY project, which was recently initiated, said: “The project is run with mothers where we make toys from recycled materials like plastic and scrap cardboard. The toys we make cater for children from the ages of three months old and upwards. The toys are to stimulate the children’s development. The reason why we encourage the mother to help us when making the toys is for them to feel the sense of provision for their children, leaving them with skills to share with their friends and neighbours,” Mbuyazi said. Sheik said their community experience is different from the hospital setting as they have full teams. “Here we have occupational therapy, audiology and optometry. We are trying to work strongly with the community caregivers as well so that the patients receive all the required services. We also try to find volunteers who will continue with the services at the clinic when we are gone,” added Sheik.
