LOCAL organisation Advance Access & Delivery South Africa has partnered with the South African organisation, Viva Con Agua – a community and network of people and organisations committed to humane access to clean drinking water and basic sanitary care – to launch mobile sanitation facilities that will now be offered at the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre.
The launch of the facilities that fall under the Nina Manzi project, through Viva Con Agua, took place at the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre in Greyville on February 1, where sponsors and supporters of the organisation gathered to commemorate this impressive development. Michael Wilson, director of Advance Access & Delivery SA, explained the origins of Bellhaven. In 2020, a drug withdrawal programme was launched at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where members of the homeless community were sheltered as the Covid-19 Pandemic broke out.
the South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD). Photo: Nia Louw
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At the time, about 260 people elected to start methadone treatment. Now, three years later, patients continue to visit the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre every day.
“We’ve been in this space in Greyville for 44 months. We moved into this space on June 1, 2020, and we have been able to provide services to more than 2 000 men and women in Durban City, and this is largely thanks to the amazing partnerships that we have,” said Wilson.
Wilson says that since the organisation started in the space, more than 1 600 have had access to opioid-substitution therapy. “We have a very active ARV programme and a TB programme, as well.”
Speaking at the event, Phumelele Muthali from Viva Con Agua said the Nina Manzi project is aimed at restoring people’s dignity. “At Viva Con Agua, we want this project to reach as far and wide as possible, and we do not operate outside of partnerships, which is why our partnership with Advance Access & Delivery South Africa has been so important to us.
The team reached out to us last year, and it became very clear from our first conversations that we were speaking with people whose values aligned with ours and who care about what they do.”
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Muthali said the mobile facilities provide people with access to safe, clean showers and sanitation. “The design on the outside of the mobile wash facilities is vibrant – it’s supposed to be engaging and inviting and make people feel good coming in and out of the facilities. Inside, there are four shower cubicles and two toilet cubicles.
“The shower cubicles are easy to use – you’re able to find a bin for your clothes so they stay dry during the shower, and there is a rail available for people who have mobility issues. All-purpose shower gel is also available, and the toilets are equipped with toilet paper. The idea of this facility is that when clients come here, they don’t need anything extra – everything is provided for them, it’s cleaned after every use and we are making sure that anyone can walk into the mobile facilities and have a pleasant experience.”
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