Mam Maria helps patients get well
After working as a home based caregiver, Maria Masuku realised that one of the reasons people do not take their medication is because they do not have food.
KwaThema – Bophelong Women Empowerment is doing its bit to help patients with chronic illnesses.
After working as a home-based caregiver, Maria Masuku realised that one of the reasons people do not take their medication is that they do not have food.
“Most people know that it is not good to take pills on an empty stomach.
“It can actually make you sick, so some of them just give up on their treatment.”
Mam Maria founded the organisation in 2005 to combat this issue.
She now runs a daily soup kitchen at Thembelisha Clinic with the help of Thuli Nhlabathi and other volunteers.
“I believe that giving them this meal makes it easy for them to take their medication.
“And we also help drug addicts, because they usually have nowhere to go when they are hungry.”
The team also pays home visits and donates food parcels.
“With the festive season approaching, most families need more food for their children, who usually eat at school.
“And my desire is to collect nice Christmas clothes for them as well,” she adds.
Mam Maria says although she receives great support from companies and individuals, she still appeals to the community to lend a hand.
“I have realised that we can never do enough.
“Each year I have more and more people coming to get help.”
Anyone who is interested in helping Mam Maria and Bophelong Women Empowerment can call her on 073 918 3136.
