“Your support changes lives”

As part of Tshemba’s outreach programme, volunteers visit primary schools in the area to perform eye tests on children with suspected vision impairments.


Early intervention in these cases can be life-changing, enabling these children to be able to read and write. This can have significant improvements on their learning outcomes, setting them up for success in the future.

A key component of Tshemba’s volunteer programme is to upskill local staff and create a sustainable impact in the community. Our volunteers run and/or contribute to various training programmes, including:

• Back to basics training for nurses to improve foundational practices such as the recording of vital signs.
• Emergency obstetric drills which is proven to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in obstetric units.
• Development of a health promotion training programme, which trained nurses can then share with their patients.

The region currently faces a staggering 65% youth unemployment rate (Stats SA). Tshemba is helping to address this issue by engaging unemployed nursing assistants to volunteer at Tintswalo Hospital. As volunteers, they have an opportunity to contribute to various projects while enhancing their skills and gaining valuable experience to improve their employability.

Nursing assistants join a four-month volunteer programme, assisting in different areas of the hospital, such as translation and support in the Outpatient Department. 

Funds are always needed to support small and urgent maintenance issues in the hospital, which would otherwise take time due to lengthy petty cash approval processes. This improves the efficiency of nurses and healthcare professionals.

Key initiatives include:

• Cultivating hospital grounds: Our volunteers would like to create a succulent garden – perfect for a water-scarce area – in order to create a stress free environment for patients to enjoy.
• Renovation and refurbishment of the hospital wards: There are various ongoing needs throughout the hospital, such as fixing leaking roofs in the various wards, painting the new woman’s health clinic, and refurbishment of the Outpatient Department.

Tshemba’s volunteer’s have also noted a need for medical supplies that could improve the quality of care for patients at Tintswalo Hospital and the surrounding clinics. 

Your donations will fund medical supply needs such as:

• Loops for the LLETZ machine used for cauterising abnormal lesions on the cervix.  
• Small medical supplies such as suture scissors and kidney dishes.
• White boards to write the current status of patients, printed and laminated bed numbers, as well as new files to help with patient management and referrals. 

Medical volunteers face significant challenges due to the shortage of essential equipment. The lack of these crucial items impedes their ability to provide accurate care to the clinics they serve, highlighting the urgent need for donations for the following equipment such as:

Stethoscope
BP machine with small and wide cuff
Ear Thermometer
Pulse oximeter
Tape measure
Reflex hammer
Small torch
Glucometer (with glucosticks)
Otoscope and ophthalmoscope with battery
Tuning fork
Tourniquet
Tongue depressors
Dip sticks
disinfectant or alcohol swabs, lubricant jelly for examinations
gloves
Salbutamol inhaler and paediatric Volumatic with mask
Steristrips
Tweezers & Scissors