History
The lives of Dr. Albert Schweitzer and Mother Theresa and their work with poor people inspired Jean Stewart as a little girl. Jean felt called to serve the poor after she became a follower of Jesus Christ and the inspiration was put into action in 1991, when Jean looked for a site in Randburg to open a clinic for the poor and needy. Her friend and co-founder, Yvonne Jaques, told her about a one hectare site in Drummond south of Lanseria Airport which they consequently rented from the Methodist Church.
From 1991 to 2005 they established a primary health care clinic which incorporated home based care and Tuberculosis management programs, a hospice, a school and a shelter for abandoned children. This was done with the help of numerous volunteers and donors.
The site became too small for all the activities and the project site moved to the present project area north of Lanseria Airport during 2005. Jean and Yvonne retired as project leaders when the relocation took place, Jaco van Schalkwyk became project leader and Blue Cross Health took over the health care activities.
Refilwe developed a strong focus on child care, community care and enterprise development since 2005. Major accomplishments since the start of the program are:
1992 to 2000
Primary Health Care Clinic: total number of patients who received health care services during this period - minimum 10,000.
1998 to 2005
TB program for an average of 40 patients per month.
1995 to 2000
Established an early afternoon learning centre for children.
1993 to 2005
Children’s home for 27 children from orphaned and vulnerable backgrounds.
2000 to 2005
Refilwe School: total number of children who attended the school during this period - 60 per year.
2000 to 2005
Refilwe Hospice: total number of in-patients during this period – 200.
2001
Registered as a Section 21 company.
2003
Partnered with Department of Social Development to run a Drop-In-Centre.
Registered the Refilwe Community School as a Non Profit Organization.
2004
Partnered with Right to Care to support its HIV/AIDS activities. Registered the Christian Clinic as a Non Profit Organization.
2004 to Oct 2005
Partnered with NOAH to start a Day Care Centre.
Nov 2005
Moved to Plot 87 & 90 of the farm Lindley and Jaco van Schalkwyk became the Project Leader.
Nov 2005
Signed indefinite term lease with the Anglican Church for an 18 hectares site north of Lanseria Airport.
2005
Refilwe and Right to Care partnered with Blue Cross Health to manage the HIV/AIDS and primary health care program.
2005 to date
Repair and upgrade of site infrastructure: renovations of all existing structures to accommodate child and community care programs. This includes ten children’s cottages, two resident volunteer cottages, a computer room, a library, workshops, storage areas, office complex, community support centre, day care centre, clinic, roads, garden and landscaping.
2005 to Mch 2009
Drop-In-Centre program for orphaned and vulnerable children, and HIV/AIDS affected and infected individuals from the surrounding communities supported through a partnership with the Department of Social Development.
2006
Launched the ACAT Skills Development Program for entrepreneurial and life skills training.
2006
Launched the Resident Volunteer program for international volunteers.
Dec 2006
Official launch of the God Parents Project (based on a foster care system) to provide family structures for orphaned and vulnerable children placed at Refilwe by the Children’s Court through the Department of Social Development. This program provide homes for 43 children.
Feb 2007 to date
ACAT skills development program: Every year at least ten groups of five persons each are being added to the program. Most of the individuals who are part of this program start their own businesses.
Jun to Nov 2007
Built the Community Hall.
Nov 2007
Established the Piggery to serve as an income generation project for Refilwe.
Jan 2008
Started the Hands of Hope School for seven Grade 8 learners.
Mch 2008
Commenced major site upgrades to combat erosion and to replace invader trees with indigenous trees.
Jun 2008
NOAH handed management of the Day Care Centre over to Refilwe. Number of children attending the Day Care Centre: 60.
Jul 2008
Established the Organic Fruit Orchard as a Refilwe Enterprise project.
Sep 2008
Blue Cross Health terminated HIV/AIDs, TB and Primary Health Care services. Refilwe continued with a community based health care program.
Sep 2008
Rotary partnered with Refilwe to expand the Hands of Hope School and Community Education Centre. Phased improvement and building of the school facilities will take place between 2009 and 2012.
Nov 2008
Founder Jean Stewart became involved with the training and mentoring of the home based care workers.
Dec 2008
Right to Care partnered with Refilwe and the Department of Social Development to expand the community based HIV/AIDS, TB and home based care health care program. This program offers intensive training for the home based care workers and will serve at least 500 regular clients per year.
Dec 2008
Established the Refilwe Carpentry Project as part of Refilwe Enterprises.
Jan 2009
Started the registration process for the Hands of Hope School and the Day Care Centre. Number of learners enrolled in the school increased to 18.
Feb 2009
Established Wormcycle as part of the Refilwe Enterprises.
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