Reaching out to the most vulnerable with Amcare

Amcare recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The organisation was founded on January 17, 2002, by Alberton Methodist Church along with reverend Neill Robinson.

According to the general manager Marihet Infantino it started as a result of three reasons, which includes a place for victims of domestic violence, a HIV/Aids programme and an elderly care programme.

The victim empowerment programme helps gender-based violence victims and their families by offering them accommodation, skills development short courses, assistance with legal documentation and reunification.

The HIV/Aids programme renders support to adults and children who are infected and affected by HIV/Aids and find themselves in vulnerable situations.

The goal of the elderly care programme is to ensure that the elderly who are bedridden, weak, or vulnerable receive high-quality home-based care services in the comfort of their own homes and support systems.

“We have not deviated from these core values as an organisation because we believe in empowering and supporting all those that knock on our doors with hope,” said Marihet.

The organisation focuses more on African communities which are Thokoza, Phola Park, Greenfields and Alberton North, hence it has small offices in these areas.

Amcare is registered with the Department of Social Development and has social workers’ offices on its premises to help the community in a professional way.

The role of social workers in the organisation is to help in the alleviation of human suffering, the pursuit of social justice, and the improvement of people’s lives and communities.

Social work supervisor, Lebo Tsotetsi, said that the level of service they provide serves as an assurance to the community that they are with them every step of the way.

“As much as we deal with common cases in the organisation as social workers, we also attend to each case with a different approach because our clients have unique experiences and need full support,” said Tsotetsi.

Due to financial difficulties experienced by victims, the organisation offers transport services to ensure that scheduled appointments are attended.

The transport collects and delivers’ individuals from and to their homes every time they have an appointment.

Amcare runs a secondhand shop to make profits in order to keep the mission of the organisation going and have a vegetable garden to provide healthy food to those in need.

Food garden skills trainer, Hastings Banda, said that his duty is to plant crops and maintain the garden and generate knowledge and give skills of gardening to the younger generation.

“Heavy rainfalls had a negative impact on our gardens because most of the plants were eaten by parasites caused by heavy rainfalls,” Banda said.

The organisation is strengthened by different sponsors who portray different roles too.

Fundraising officer, Ayanda Mlambo, said that as Amcare they are pleading to all individuals who have means of funding the organisation to assist in any way.

Marihet thanked all the individuals who work tirelessly to render quality services to the most challenged and also thank the sponsors for making important investment decisions and offering top-level support for this initiative.

Anyone who wishes to apply can request a volunteering application form from the website.

Donations are always welcome and can be made through the website or in person. For further information visit www.amcare.org.za or contact 011 869 5856