Download PDFOn 24 August 2023, Khanya College held the first health stakeholder meeting with organisations from Eldorado Park and Kliptown to build a collective understanding of the project, its aims and objectives and the role of the stakeholders.
In preparation, Khanya College had meetings with different stakeholders, including PUSH, Eldorado Park Women’s Forum, Arekopaneng, Sizwe Feeding Scheme, Soweto Kliptown Youth, Kliptown Youth Programme, the Councillor, God’s Arch Academy, Community Police Forum, Khayalethu, Masibambisane, Joburg Child Welfare and Mighty Evolution Nursery and Pre School.
The stakeholder are interesting organisations that work with children, youth (in and out of school) and women. The work ranges from after-school homework programmes, gender-based violence, shelters for abused women, feeding the vulnerable and awareness campaigns on substance abuse and community safety. However, this was the first time local organisations came together and a fruitful discussion was held on issues facing the community, especially health needs.
The meeting also confirmed the community mapping findings about the prevalent socio-economic issues in these communities: an alarming number of children are neglected, substance abuse, crime, lack of service delivery and proper infrastructure, and facilities for for people living with disabilities. Key issues leading to sickness is poor sanitation and dumping sites where children play. there are long queues in clinics and nurses are often rude and not interested in the health needs of the community.
People do not know their rights. The meeting agreed that Khanya College would organise a workshop on South Africa’s Constitution and the health rights of citizens.
The group agreed to kickstart the project with a Youth Dialogue on Health on 23 September 2023 to be held at PUSH, where youth can speak about their health needs.
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