CHAIRMAN'S CHAT - FEBRUARY 2008
I have recently returned from a visit to Nepal, and whilst in Katmandu, visited their Hospice which is part of a huge temple complex along the banks of the river and adjacent to the funeral pyres that are such a natural part of their terminal illness experience! The conditions are very poor, the language a huge barrier, and the cultural and religious differences immense.
At much the same time Janet Stanford, our CEO, was in the UK attending a high level Palliative Care course. We have been so interested to hear of her observations and experience which reinforce so much of what we are already doing in Knysna, albeit under somewhat different conditions.
What strikes me most in sharing these diverse experiences is not so much the learning of how to do things in the Hospice environment, but the clear fact that regardless of the differences, the common thread is the expertise and above all, the caring nature of the 'people' of Hospice.
It is fitting therefore that this edition of the newsletter is largely about these people. I celebrate, with much admiration and gratitude, each one of you from our public supporters, our volunteers, our members of the various groups and committees, and above al, the core team of employees who are the engine room of our work. Thank you for all you do, and more importantly thank you for the way in which you go about it.
From Knysna to Katmandu it is the people that make it special. I watched it happen this week at the Tuesday clinic in much the same way as I watched a family receiving counselling along the banks of that far off river a few weeks ago. It is that genuine loving care that must always be what identifies our organisation.
Best wishes to you all,
David Bath
Chairperson
 IT'S JUST NOT CRICKET
At first glance it would seem that cricket and Hospice have very little in common.
Cricket is a game that demands an amazing mix of individual and team effort. To be world class, as our Proteas are, one needs team members who are outstanding individualists. It really does not matter how well the team works together, if you don't have a world class pace bowler like Ntini you won't win. If you don't have top drawer batsman like Kallis, you are going to come second. And of course, the individuals also need to vary. No matter how skilled your pace bowler is, on some wickets you simply must have a spinner to win. Shane Warne taught the world that.
At the same time no matter how brilliant your bowlers are, they are not going succeed without the team effort of fielding. No brilliant catches, no wickets. No great stumpings, no victory.
Good teams need to be cohesive and made up of individuals who differ from each other. This is as true for Hospice as it is for cricket. In this edition of our newsletter, we tell our readers a bit about the various teams and various individuals who make up our organization. We have an outstanding group of talented and very differing individuals. We have a winning team. Forgive us if we boast a bit!
Peter Godsell
FINANCES
A brief snapshot of Hospice Knysna as an organisation:
Some 18 months ago we received the much sought after COHSASA (Council for Health Services Accreditation of South Africa) accreditation which requires us to conform to international standards; now we are going for our next level of accreditation. In addition we are the only Hospice between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth which has been accorded mentorship status.
Our services are provided free of charge to all the community - currently we have some 500 patients on our books and this figure is rising by some 30% per annum.
We have a staff of 40, run 10 vehicles and in a normal month our nursing staff and social workers will make over 3,300 patient visits, traveling over 14,000 kms, over an area which encompasses Sedgefield, Rheenendal, Knysna and its surrounds, through to Brackenhill.
In 2008 we anticipate an operating budget of nearly R3.6 million.
How do we fund this? The simple answer is with a lot of work from some very dedicated staff and volunteers. Approximately one third of our income comes from within our community, where we have two shops, one in Knysna and one in Sedgefield. This is the backbone of our local sustainable income, closely followed by the tireless efforts of our volunteer fund raising team, who manage a number of well known and high profile community based events throughout the year. Add to this voluntary donations and bequests and one gets a picture the huge level of support from our community.
The rest of our funding comes from the efforts of two of our staff, Michelle Utian and Leonie Van Jaarsveldt who work with the Dept. of Health and the corporate and philanthropic organisations, both local and overseas who have Social Responsibility funds set aside to help the likes of our Hospice. This is a very time consuming and exacting task, which demands long and complicated proposal submissions and where successful, a very exacting and detailed report back to our donors, accounting for how we have spent the funds granted.
Chris Bourlay
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Barry Giggins
Director
Local Fundraising |
Chris Bourlay
Director
Finances |
Lynne Barnhoorn
Chairlady
Local Fundraising |
LOCAL FUND RAISING TEAM
The funds that we need to operate a successful, free service to our local community come from amazingly diverse sources - corporations, our government, other governments, National Lottery Distribution Trust, Western Cape Community Chest and most importantly of all, our local community. I say most importantly because the institutions will only provide funding if we can prove that we have the support of the local community.
Thankfully, Hospice has that proof by the very generous funds we receive from our fund-raising efforts held throughout the year in Knysna and Sedgefield.
Our most successful generators of income are the Hospice Shops in Knysna & Sedgefield. They account for almost 50% of locally raised funds. It must also be remembered that they also provide the poorer members of the community an opportunity to buy quality goods at a very reasonable price. Other major fund-raisers are the John Bland Golf Day, the South African Ballet Theatre, Donor Club, Book Sales, Bridge Day, Car Show, Carols by Candlelight, Street Collections and our Tins in various retail outlets.
In addition we are reviving the Hotel Project where donations are sought from hotel guests in some ten local establishments. We will also be launching a drive for Bequests in 2008 as this has proven to be one of the most beneficial ways of raising income over the long term.
Of course none of this would be possible without a group of enthusiastic volunteers who give their time & talent to ensure that Hospice events are not only successful but give something back to the community, by way of value & enjoyment for the money they part with!
Should you wish to participate, or have ideas which could assist Hospice in its never ending need for funds please call Annie on 044 384 0593.
Barry Giggins
BOTTOMS UP
I suppose for many, the management team would be regarded as the team at the top. However, that is a bit misleading, as it is the job of the management team to form the foundation on which all the service delivery and support teams rest. It is our job to support, and our job to nurture an environment where all can succeed.
It is of course true, that we do not always succeed in these lofty goals, but it is equally true that the management team is absolutely committed to keep striving to be a better and better foundation for the Hospice work. We are a diverse team, which is a good characteristic. That is what teams are - individuals with different skills pooling their strengths in a way that the "sum is greater than the parts". To my colleagues Rhona, Michelle and especially Chris who donates so much of his time and talent, thank you all so much.
In an environment where we have continual change, the responsibility of leadership can be stressful. The fact that this is a shared responsibility makes such a difference. So if you are asked, "who runs Hospice", the correct answer is - "The team at the bottom".
Janet Stanford (CEO)
Rhona, Janet, Michelle and Chris
TEAM OF 4
Once or twice a year our Hospice newsletter is produced and distributed, but who does what to make it happen? Well mostly it is Penny Mainwaring, Annie Ogilvie, Margie Gibb and Peter Godsell.
Penny first got involved in Hospice when we needed an upmarket design for our first Ballet programme - she did such a good job that it's hers for life. Her role with the newsletter is the design, layout, printing and distribution. Margie takes the publication and loads it onto our website www.hopsiceknysna.org.za Annie is our Bond House coordinator and in addition to a bit of her own writing, nags others to get their contributions in on time. She does a lot of the photography and with Penny, the compilation of words and images. Peter harmonises the writing of others to get an even flow and does a bit of the writing. Actually he will take any job if there are three girls with whom to work!
Of course much of the creative writing and photography is done by a much bigger and more varied group. But the team of 4 is the "staff in the maternity ward that eases the little fellow out into the world".
Annie, Peter, Penny and Margie
SOCIAL WORK
The social work section at Hospice is a busy multifaceted arena having to deal with any number and varieties of issues. There are therefore many people to acknowledge and I welcome the opportunity to do so.
We are privileged to have Marline Louw join our team, bringing with her a wealth of social work experience. Marline works in the Sedgefield, Keurhoek and Karatara areas alongside Sister Loubser.
Thank you to Simon Mateza, our Home Based Carer who patiently collects grant and pension application forms from the SA Social Service Association who come from George, about 6 times a month. In collecting these forms for some patients, we spare them the inevitable long wait and effort needed in applying for social assistance.
Zukiswa Peter keeps track of our food parcel situation, bagging and monitoring the distribution of welcome grocery donations, which are brought to B.O.N.D House.
A very big thank you to those of you, individuals, service clubs, and churches who kindly drop off food, which we then take to our patients' homes.
What a wonderful treat the regular, healthy, fresh food is, which Woolworths donates to us weekly. All the families who receive these packets are truly grateful, and we join them in thanking Woolworths. (Patients are even known to request these packets, even though it's not their turn!)
Group therapy sessions for selected patients are an additional benefit available at Hospice, and we thank Rebecca Muller for generously giving of her time. A huge thank you to James van Heerden who helps our team make wiser decisions.
The team spirit within the staff and volunteers at Hospice is very strong and is encouraging to all of us, in our effort to serve the patients and families referred to us.
Anne Cretchley
Marline Louw, Henriette Loubser and Rebecca Muller
Zuki, Simon, James van Heerden and Anne Cretchley
HOME BASED CARERS - The hands and Feet of Hospice
What is a Home Based Carer? They are our 'unsung heroes' who are caring, community oriented people offering holistic care to many patients in their homes. They walk from home to home - washing their patients, doing dressings, administering medication, encouraging, supporting and teaching the patients and their families. And then they walk again to the next patient's home, and to the next, and to the next, and to the next!
They are the first line of contact for patients referred to Hospice, most of whom live in informal and semi formal settlements. Well known in their surrounding community, they are sought out for advice and counsel on many problems - from an errant husband - to what do with a sickly granny with senile dementia - to 'please phone the ambulance, the baby is coming!'
Home Based Carers have enabled our Hospice to extend their services to the entire community of Knysna and Sedgefield and not just to a select few.
In the words of poet Nziswa Mdaka
I wake up every morning to care, as I go through morning chores,
My mind plans the day, for my hands are already busy.
My husband, my children, my friends, my neighbours,
And my community (I think) as I go about . . .
Oh - and me . . . I care.
I care for others (young and not so young)
Sometimes I forget about me.
Oh I am strong - don't have to care about me.
I take care of others, because they need me to care for them.
Then can someone remind me that I need care. I care.
It is my responsibility to love and care.
I am worn out and burdened - I need to debrief.
Then can someone love and care for me . . . I care.
Prepare me, support me and love me,
Not only for the month - everyday as long as I care,
For I am a Carer.
Mntu ndini; ndomeleze, ndiqinise
Ndixhase, ndihlangabeze
Ndikhuthaze ukuze ndonge ngenkathalo.
Cecily van Heerden
ALZHEIMER'S SOUTH AFRICA
ALZHEIMER'S SOUTH AFRICA is a non profit making organization, with a mission to create public awareness of,
and to provide support and assistance, in all matters pertaining to Alzheimer's and dementia through the
development and provision of relevant information, education and training programmes and care services.
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are progressive, incapacitating diseases of the brain that have a
Profound impact on persons with dementia and members of their families. If you need more information please
Contact Jennifer Howeth, who is the Southern Cape Regional co-ordinator on 044 533 3154.
NURSING
After a long and thorough recruitment exercise, we have added two new members to the nursing team. Sister Gerda Nel started in July 2007 to take over the palliative care work of Jenny Shaw who has 'sort of' retired!
Staff Nurse Kathleen Williams joined us to handle the chronic care nursing, thus leaving the sisters free to concentrate on giving quality palliative care to our patients. Welcome to Gerda & Kathleen
We had a wonderful lunch to say thank you to Jenny for her sterling service to Hospice over the last fifteen years, but it was, of course, sad to say goodbye when she formerly retired at the end of July 2007. However the sadness was short lived, as she was back the next week doing relief work! Welcome back Jenny.
The team is now at full strength.
Rhona Irving
TEAM OF TWO
Establishing productive relationships with institutional donors and maintaining these year after year is not easy work. It involves writing long and intricate proposals, it involves providing a continual flow of supplementary information and statistics, and most of all it demands patience. When, just over 5 years ago, Michelle started this function, we worked for more than half a year before we received a cent! This work needs courage.
Hospice is blessed to have a team of two ladies, Michelle & Leonie, who have tons of courage and tons of talent. We are recognised in the Hospice community as being one of the leaders in this type of funding. Thank you ladies.
VOICES FOR HOSPICE
'Voices for Hospice' is a UK registered organisation that co-ordinates a 'Mexican Wave' of simultaneous concerts around the globe on the same day, once every 2 years, to coincide with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
This year Knysna Hospice participated with a heartwarming event in which 250 voices came together from seven different choirs of every diversity and age, bringing a representation of people from our local and broader communities. It was truly a special occasion. There were primary schools and high schools, local choirs and church choirs - even drummers. Many languages - many voices - altos and tenors, sopranos and bases, national anthems and love songs! Some danced, some were uniformed and even a child led the Chris Nissen Choir, and later Nolukholo, that same child, boldly took the mike, and with the rest of the choir humming gently in the background, she meaningfully spoke about the rights of children, and every human heart was touched.
The evening culminated in the Knysna Singers and New Apostolic Church Choir joining together - seventy strong - and singing the Halleluia Chorus. It was 'goose bump' stuff! And after a standing ovation, and at one minute to seven, they stood once more to sing it again for a tremendously appreciative audience!
Hospice celebrated the opportunity to bring our community together, and in some small way share about our palliative care work - offering hope in life, dignity in death and support in bereavement - and just how each and every person in our community is a valued and integral part of our work.
Annie Ogilvie
THE SEDGEFIELD TEAM
The Sedgefield Team has had a busy and eventful year - two big Fund-Raisers, a record year for the shop and a flood!!
The "Variety show" replacing the traditional fashion show and was a great success, as was the raffle of the queen-sized quilt donated by our local quilters "The Village Threads". Much hard work, marketing, selling tickets at the Scarab Market and a plethora of other tasks by a large and diverse team of people ensurerd the success of these and other events. We are so grateful for this.
Lyn Lapham paid special tribute her faithfull team:
"BERYL, who is our Secretary, has given us her amazing input, support and downright effort to keep us guided on the right path (particularly me, who has had absolutely no Committee or Meeting experience!) Thanks Beryl.
KAREN, who runs our Shoppe has made an amazing difference to all concerned by taking the time to organise the general running of the Shoppe. She has also put in a great deal of time organising the lady volunteers who assist in the Shoppe. Thanks Karen.
ZENA, who bakes the most amazing cakes and who also controls our monthly 300 Club Raffle (Fund Raiser), a big thank you for all your effort and hard work.
HENNIE, helps out at our Day Care, is responsible for organising the Christmas parcels for our patients, organises the making of soup that is given to the Day Care patients, and works a full day at the Shoppe on Friday. Thanks Hennie.
BRIDGET, who is the lady responsible for the Collection Tins, an awkward task, but necessary. Thanks for all your hard work."
Lyn Lapham
The directors of Hospice thank the entire Sedgefield team and especially Lyn for her leadership, dedication and loyalty over the years. Lyn's life will be changing in the most wonderful way this year and we wish her "buckets of happiness" in her new home. You will be sorely missed Lyn.
A LARGE, DIVERSE & ENERGETIC TEAM
Founded in 1996 at our Long Street premises, our shoppe has ever since, not only been the major element of our local fund raising activities, but also offers all sectors of the local community an opportunity to buy donated goods at affordable prices. Its ongoing success is attributable to the efforts of all the players - past and present. The team is large in number and diverse in nature, comprising of:
(a) SHOPPE DIRECTOR
This function serves as a support system for the Shoppe Team to ensure that the necessary facilities are available to the Team.
(b) VOLUNTEERS
We currently are privileged to have 23 volunteers to call on with each person contributing time and effort to the Shoppe activities. New volunteers who have joined this year are David Barbour, John Kennedy and Elizabeth van Tonder. Our volunteers play a critical role in the smooth running of our shoppee. We need more!
(c) STAFF
Shoppe Manager (Maria Borchards), Assistant to Shoppe Manager (Berlyne September) and Kate Petersen who keeps the Shoppe clean on a part time basis. This is the core team who keep it going throughout the year
 (d) OTHER KEY SUPPORTERS
BOND House Drivers ( Joash and Simon) who help with collecting donated goods.
Cash Connection - They help with collecting the "large items" and at times warehouse and sell the goods on our behalf.
Hospice management who are responsible for ensuring that the Shoppe team is adequately resourced
Of course there is one vital last element and that is the all those generous members of the public who donate the goods that we sell. Without your generosity we would have nothing to sell - nothing! Without this part of our team the Shoppe would simply not exist.
To each part, to each individual member, we can only say a Great Big Thank You. Each of you has helped to make this the huge success, which has benefited Hospice and the local community.
Finally - We need more volunteers. Are you willing to contribute 4 hours of your time once or twice a month? If "yes", please contact me on 044 384 1771.
Peter Marais
Shoppe Director
(A HUGE thank you to Peter Marais for all his energy and enthusiasm!)
 FLIC TAKES A BREAK
In January 2003 we had absolutely nobody who was dedicated to organising fundraising events for Hospice. One month later an enthusiastic group of ladies were working like crazy. What happened? Flic Tindle happened!
Flic arrived, collected a bunch of her friends and said "lets do it!" The thing about Flic is that she is super organized, super competent, knows all the right people and when she says she is going to do something, she is super dedicated. The years that followed have been really exciting as the team have tackled an increasing number of projects that have grown not only our bank balance, but also our reputation for delivering quality events The jewel in the crown is, of course, the amazing annual Ballet event - an event that is not only one of the biggest sources of revenue, but probably the major cultural event in Knysna. This last year we were virtually booked out within weeks of opening the booking.
Well here we are, almost five years later, Flic has long since successfully handed over the leadership to a great successor, the dynamic Lynne Barnhoorn, and now it's time for her to take a break from all the hard work. To Flic we say a huge thank you for having the courage and dedication to pioneer. Thank you for the way you have encouraged so many others to join this worthwhile venture and now dear Flic it's time for you to enjoy being a part of the audience and leave the stage management to a wonderful group of your friends.
KEEPING THINGS STRAIGHT - OUR ADMIN GALS
In all organisations, there are those unsung heroes who work in the background sorting out problems and keeping the wheels turning. Our admin gals do precisely this, so that our nurses and carers can go about their daily duties, putting their patients first.
Admin. is often about numbers, paying 40 salaries, communicating with 22 staff at BOND House & the Shoppe, 15 Home Based Carers and 250 volunteers, looking after 10 vehicles that travel over 140,000 kms a year. The list is simply endless.
We are blessed to have a team of ladies who not only do this efficiently, but also in a way that gives witness to the caring nature of Hospice. Annie Ogilvie, everybody knows Annie - the friendly and cheerful person who instantly recognises you when you phone or pop in. She contacts the Bond House volunteers, runs the donor club, knows where everything is filed, and … sometimes she has time to go home in the evenings as well!
Right hand to Annie is Zukizwe Peter. Zuki started with clinic talks at Hospice nearly 4 years ago and is everywhere all the time - typing translations, sending faxes, churning out photocopies and helping on the phone, helping with our day care patients, assisting with food parcels and ensuring that the kitchen is up to scratch.. Now that Zuki has passed her next level of computer literacy she can regularly be found behind the screen of her PC.
When Marykie Nutt joined Hospice last year as our book-keeper, one of her interests was long distance running, a very necessary attribute for working in Hospice. Since joining Hospice she has not stopped running … and we now have all our bookkeeping and salaries done in-house on Pastel. With her eagle eye monitoring every cent spent, staff and suppliers get paid on time, vehicle log books are scrutinised, our petty cash is reconciled and the banks kept on their toes. We could not survive without her?
Hats off to three angels with computer!
Marykie, Zuki and Annie
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Newsletter 2008