Hot Spots to Hope Spots
Celebrating Community Healthcare Initiatives
By Shone Coutries
On Sunday, 1 October, 2023, BeCoCo continue to spring forward with a renewed focus on the significance of organizing community-based healthcare initiatives to stand in the gap for the of advancement of community vitality and upliftment. The Faith and Health Collective, under the leadership of Dr. Mary Augusta Adam, convened several BeCoCo Partners for a listening and learning roundtable about the impact if each other’s work and share best practices
Rev. Kelvin Sauls, BeCoCo Co-founder, kicked-off the event with the following words, “Your health is your heritage and your heritage is your health!”. The purpose of the convening, hosted by the #YesEldosMovement, was to leverage and engage, mobilize, and share best practices around the drivers and root-causes of healthcare issue’s that negatively impact our commimities. Moreover, we also sought to explore why we find ourselves in this position?
We were urged by partner presenters to reset and reimage programmes that will elevate drug and substance abuse prevention, lack of healthcare services, and rehabilitation centers. Additionally, we introduced health programmes that will strengthen our health systems and improve the quality of life of our people.
Proactive and strategic partnerships were encouraged with government departments. Furthermore, we must be intentional in mobilising communities where there’s a lack of service delivery, especially to those communities that are denied healthcare services. Our purpose as NGO’s is not to replace government services. Our strategic role is to hold government accountable, and stand in the gap with courage, creative, culturally relevant complimentary healthcare services.
BeCoCo co-founder, Lorraine Jantjies coordinated a sumptuous lunch at the #YesEldo’sMovement’s Community HUB.
The HUB is visible and real example of what can happen when we “organize and mibiilize people power” for social change. The the leadership of the #YesEldo’sMovement, organized and mobilized community-based resources to capture and transform an abandoned government structure from a dangerous and destructive HOT SPOT to a constructive and compassionate HOPE SPOT!! This convening took place at a positive and safe space where people’s humanity and dignity are affirmed and celebrated.
The food and hospitality facilitated a safe space for leaders from four partners to share about their initiatives in community-based healthcare. Their holistic approaches included spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental dimensions. It became clear that creative and courageous commumity-based healthcare is at the core of everything we do. These initiatives elevated the quality of life in our communities! Much appreciation to Aunty Lorna from PUSH, Ous Gladys from the Smith & Gaylen Foundation, Shone and Kutzai from Hope’s Pathway and Aunty Cheryl from #YesEldo’sMovement.
Attendees, which included Gerald and Dr. Monica Green from Sarasota, FL, were encouraged to not be spectators to deteriating conditions, but become participants in bringing back equitable, quality, affordable healthcare to members of our communities. How we show-up for one another to serve and share, influence and impact, will be game-changing! Given the fact that we are ofton met with serious barriers when seeking government buy in, we, who are at the heart of the community, must remain proactive and vigilant!
Much appreciation to BeCoCo co-founders Rev. Kelvin Sauls and Lorraine Jantjies, and Dr. Mary Augusta Adams for their coordination and facilitation. The food and fellowship, presentations and conversations nourished our bodies and souls, our minds and hearts. It was awesome!! The affirmation and inspiration were informative and impactful!!
We look forward to continue transfornaing HOT SPOTS INTO HOPE SPOTS, so that we can create more positive and safe spaces where people’s humanity and dignity are affirmed and celebrated.
Shone Coutries is a community organuzer and healthcare advocate in Naturena, a community on the Southside of Johannesburg.
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