CELEBRATING NEW PARTNERSHIPS
Photo:
From left to right we have:
Dudu Nzuza (Community Grants Program Assistant EC);
Melissa Knox (Hospice CEO);
Dawn Schmidt (Hospice Corporate Liaison);
Sherry Sykes (U.S. Consul General in Durban);
Cristianne Wendler (PEPFAR HIV and AIDS Community Grants Country Director at U.S. Department of State)
St Bernard’s Hospice passages’, resounded with a joyful noise when the news that our request for funding to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief HIV and AIDS Community Grants Program was successful.
We are incredibly grateful and excited for this one year partnership, which commenced 1 Oct 2019, for the purpose of which is to advance public health, human rights and dignity by improving health outcomes for South Africans, whilst applying our Palliative Care Services.
It is considered a privilege to be awarded a partnership with the U.S. Department of State, or any PEPFAR entity. Only 524 applications were received, which whilst it is a lot, it is also little if you take note of the number of non-governmental organisations in South Africa. This number is indicative of the stringent application process and requirements. Further, out of the 524 applications that were made, only 40 organisations were awarded a partnership.
Our CEO, Melissa and Corporate Liaison, Dawn, attended a 3 day training on Grant Requirements in Durban, where they were also presented with a plaque in recognition of the partnership. They were very excited to run into two other Buffalo City based NPOs who were also awarded this grant.
Our Grant compliance will certainly be sharpened further as we learn new structures. But, most importantly, our services to the Buffalo City Community is strengthened and enhanced through this partnership, so that we can continue to ensure that people diagnosed with life-limiting illness, such as HIV if left untreated, can continue to access quality, home based, palliative care services.
Together, we can do so much more. Together, we bring about change.
Author : Melissa Knox
