Devoted Magazine#33

Issue 33 www.devotedmag.co.za Wellness magazine – toward a healthy and fulfilling life Keeping on keeping on, Pro-life doctor finally allowed to practice medicine again Content is king Radio Khwezi is What is life like Elsa Bosman - even in taking the lead at a mission? Fighting for discipline in schools community news www.devotedmag.co.za 1

Rock OF HOPE Place of Safety We have received a prophecy in 2011 that we will open our home for abandoned, abused and neglected babies and children and that we will love them as our own. Rock of Hope was born! In the past 11 years we had 195 babies and children through our home. We cry when they arrive and we cry when they go to their forever homes. And then we cry when we share our stories of hope, life stories of how God saved our babies. ONE LIFE CHANGING, MIRACLE WILL ALWAYS LET ME IN TEARS. It was a cold winter’s day, when I received a call from a social worker, that they have found a 6 week old baby girl! She arrived in the arms of the social worker, wrapped in an dirty and wet towel. Her family couldn’t take care of her, as they were staying in a wendy home without food, electricity or water. She had been drinking only water for the past week, as her mother’s breastmilk dried up. She was starving, but she survived! But the real devastation was only revealed once the towel was removed. The little baby girl had nappy rash from the soles of her feet to her arm pits. Her troubles was not at an end though.The rash was slowly soothed by loving hands, gently nourished the painful abused skin until it was once again pink and healthy. Her digestive system needed more time to adjust to proper nourishment. She suffered from severe reflux, vomiting up mostly what she took in. Despite this fact, she grew and got stronger by the day. After a few months, she became a cute and much loved baby girl. Giggles and smiles followed. She reached all her milestones and she became a smiling happy child that is 3 years old today. She was saved and was placed in foster care with her new forever family. She makes their life a rich and happy place. This baby and many like her, have brought joy to the lives of house parents and volunteers at our home and more especially to would otherwise, not have had the opportunity to have children. Baby A was saved and she saved the hearts of her new family, giving hope to someone who gave up hope. The words on the wall come to mind: if a baby is not a blessing to you now, let it be a blessing to someone else. CONTACT US: 079 423 4799 • [email protected] WE LOOK AFTER ABANDONED, ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND SICK BABIES AND TODDLERS. 2 www.devotedmag.co.za PBO 930066803

CONTENTS In this Edition 6 10 12 Editor’s Note Front cover picture Keeping on keeping on… 4 We pay tribute to people and organisations Pro-life doctor finally allowed who are keeping on keeping on, no matter to practice medicine again what! “I know all the things you do, and I Barred for almost five years 5 have opened a door for you that no one can close.” - Revelation 3:8. What is life like at a mission? 6 Credits Content is king – even in community news Radio Khwezi is taking the lead 8 MANAGING EDITOR Gerda Potgieter Elsa Bosman explains why she fights for discipline in schools 10 LANGUAGE EDITOR Mignionette de Bruin The joy of sight restored! 12 EditA Advertise with us & build relationships CREATIVE AND DESIGN with your customers Annerine Lubbe Square Design Studio We have introduced special advertising rates to help you and your 071 897 6240 business during these trying times. NOW is NOT the time to stop marketing your business, rather be more strategic and use cost- WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT effective options. Contact us. James Hendricks Stormtank CONTENT DISCLAIMER: All rights reserved. While every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of information, the editors and Devoted magazine cannot accept liability of whatsoever nature arising out or in connection with the contents of the publication. The views expressed in this on-line publication are not necessarily those of any of the Devoted team members. It remains the sole responsibility of the writers. Like us on Facebook: www.dViesitvouor wteebdsitemat ag.co.za www.facebook.com/devotedmagazine Emails: [email protected]; or [email protected] 3

Editor’s Note Keepingon keeping on… O ur theme for this month is The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has They have also disregarded that the Keeping on keeping on, even affected multiple aspects of community Mission has become a community whose though we sometimes feel life and tremendously influenced people regard it as their home and stay we can’t. community services, especially for the there because they do not want to live An organisation that has earned our least-reached communities. Continuing anywhere else. respect, is Doctors for Life International with outreaches has become more (DFL). Despite setbacks and challenges, difficult because of the Covid lockdowns Recently, I was encouraged to visit DFL continues with the work. They and the financial challenges. KwaSizabantu and find out what life is supported the pro-life doctor, Jacques really like there. The many uplifting and de Vos, until he was cleared to practice Another organisation that really inspiring stories I heard were reason medicine again. We celebrate with Doctor earned my respect for keeping on enough to believe that the public De Vos and the DFL team in this issue. keeping on, is the KwaSizabantu Mission deserves to hear them. Unfortunately, (KSB) in KwaZulu-Natal. To build such a we can share only a few of these positive I read a message from the publishing formidable organisation from scratch over accounts in this issue because of limited firm Charisma House that really resonated many years with all the challenges and space. Please follow our Facebook page with me: “If we do not speak up now, onslaughts takes some guts and a certain to see more inspiring stories of people we may lose the chance to speak at all. kind of leadership. It takes a visionary who keep on keeping doing good Simply stated, the subject of the muzzling leader, hard-working and dedicated when others don’t. and silencing of our voices must be followers, and a high calling to overcome addressed, but not in a defeated, hopeless adversity, hardship, and challenges and I believe in my heart that my path way. Instead, it must be confronted and, focus on the calling. But as Romans 8:31 has crossed with the missionaries I using biblical principles and spiritual so eloquently puts it, “What, then, shall write about and the organisations that weapons, it must be overcome. The we say in response to these things? serve the vulnerable. I cannot join them good news is that the church cannot be If God is for us, who can be against us?” always when they do their life’s work, cancelled, and in Jesus’ name we will not but I can tell the countless inspiring and be silenced. If all of us do our part, be it For centuries, mission work and honest stories to uplift readers. I get my little or large, the cultural tide will turn.” missionaries have been painted inspiration from Revelation 3:8: “I know negatively by the secular media. Unfair all the things you do, and I have opened a I try to do my part in building the media onslaughts and malicious labelling door for you that no one can close.” I have kingdom through honest and authentic have luckily not stopped the good started doing that on various platforms journalism, something that is hard to find work at the Mission and they continue that God has opened for me and will these days and I speak up against unfair to be blessed and grow. However, the continue to do so. practices. Unfortunately, many Christian- onslaughts and labelling dehumanised based publications and online platforms the leaders and workers who have Be blessed! still stay silent. This is how the good is worked endlessly over many years to With much love, sometimes successfully destroyed. build a sustainable mission to enable Gerda them to do their work. The attacks have It is uplifting to showcase the many also infringed on the dignity of the Like us on Facebook: achievements of the DFL team and staff leaders, missionaries, many workers, www.facebook.com/devotedmagazine and capture the patients’ responses, and co-workers; and on the work of and we bring you inspiring stories about missionaries across the world. It is www.devotedmag.co.zaRead our newsletters and inspiring stories on their work. Members of vulnerable unfair also to the countless community communities experience greater risk members dependent on missions for their Share the good news articles with others factors and worse health care access. livelihoods. We will continue to speak out These community sectors are more against the unfairness. vulnerable than those in other parts of the world. They are dependent on the The mainstream (secular) media goodwill of initiatives such as the Aid to has disregarded thousands of positive Africa community outreach programme, accounts about the Mission’s work a DFL initiative. This initiative aims to among the rural Zulu community and help, uplift, and support the vulnerable the disadvantaged people it serves. communities deprived of health care and They focus on a few stories “juiced” up certain services. by unhappy and disgruntled people. 4 www.devotedmag.co.za

Pro-life doctor finally allowed to practice medicine again - Barred for almost five years Boyd K Packer said, “Every Ido not know why the question (left) is practice medicine, the Health Professions time a child is born, the world so controversial, because the answer is Council of South Africa (HPCSA) finally is renewed in innocence,” and obvious and based on science as well allowed Dr Jacques de Vos to continue with truer words were never spoken! as Biblical principles. Scriptures support his career. Dr De Vos was suspended from When does life begin? “Before I the idea that life begins at conception (read completing the gynaecology rotation of formed you in the womb, I knew also Luke 1:41); but even if one does not his internship at 2 Military Hospital in the you and before you were born, see the Bible as an authoritative source, beginning of 2017. He was then charged I consecrated you; I appointed science (obstetric tools such as ultrasound by the HPCSA with unprofessional conduct you a prophet to the nations” technology, embryology, genetics, etc) for his views that the unborn child is a provides us with plenty of evidence that human being. (Jeremiah 1:5). life begins at the moment of conception. Medical professionals like Dr Jacques de Vos “Following years of delays, the HPCSA agree life begins at conception and refer to finally withdrew the charges against Dr De an unborn baby as a “human being”. Vos in September 2020. 2 Military Hospital, however, still refused to sign Dr De Vos All human beings have rights and all off, citing his ‘refusal to comply with basic lives matter - this is the important medical ethics’ (referring to his views issue which has sadly been ignored by on the humanity of the unborn child). It was only after persistent intervention of some in this case! organisations such as Doctors for Life (DFL) International, assistance of various attorneys Needless to say, the Devoted team was and advocates, as well as the perseverance overcome with joy when the news broke of Dr De Vos, that the HPCSA relented on 4 that Dr De Vos, at last, was given the green April 2022 and approved his registration as light to practice medicine again. While we a medical practitioner for purposes of his are, of course, happy about the good news, community service. we are saddened by the fact that the good doctor had been treated so unfairly for his “Whilst we are delighted that Dr De Vos ethical believe. Dr De Vos, just a week before can finally proceed to practice medicine, we he could finish his medical degree all those are appalled at the unfair and discriminatory years back, was prohibited from practicing manner in which he was treated. The medicine. Because he was unable to scientific reality of the humanity of the practice medicine, he was sadly robbed from unborn child is generally undisputed. countless opportunities to serve patients in Nevertheless, Dr De Vos was effectively need. This is abuse of human rights on many punished for his scientifically sound stance, levels, in the most unfair way! by being barred to practice medicine for almost five years without a hearing. This The DFL team does outstanding work to was a gross and inexcusable violation of his save lives and help those less fortunate than constitutional rights. most of us. They take care of needy people who has been forgotten by society! We share “Doctors For Life calls upon the South with you the message (unaltered) as given to African government to urgently enact us by the Doctors for Life (DFL) International measures to ensure protection of healthcare team below. professionals who act conscientiously in line “After almost five years of being barred to with sound science, and not to persecute ethical practitioners such as Dr De Vos”. (*Press release by Doctors for Life International). www.devotedmag.co.za 5

What is life like at a mission? Elsa Bosman lost her husband of We have previously put the almost 52 years early this year after a a friendly wave when she left; and I felt so spotlight on missionaries and short illness, and she is still adapting enriched by this brief interaction. She was to it. While we sat talking in her later joined with others who came to work in their work, and highlighted comfortable home, two small boys came in the garden. the fact that the work is noble to give Ouma (grandma) a beautiful bunch of flowers. They handed it over to her with so Despite her recent loss, Elsa opened her and impactful. What is life much kindness and without saying much. house to visitors from Germany who came like at a mission? I received to the Mission for spiritual growth. One of “Since Danie died, there is not a single day the guests, Peter Tópfe, spontaneously told an opportunity to stay at on which I have not received flowers from me about his relationship with Reverend Erlo a missionary home at the someone - most of them are just left in front Stegen, not knowing that I was an editor and KwaSizabantu Mission, and I of my house when I am not here, and I do always on the look-out for positive stories grabbed at the opportunity. not even know where it is from. The Mission to write about. Although he just visited, he It is my wish that you enjoy the and its people have been there for me all has a long relationship with the Mission and experience as much as I did… the way. The love, support, and kindness I it was also not his first time around. He told received from them! I would not get than me about his admiration for the evangelistic, at any place in the world, I am sure of that. Reverend Erlo, and that he regularly visits the From the day Danie got ill, they have been Mission (at least once every two years); and there for me. Doctor Albu (the Mission’s said he will always come back. medical practitioner and founder of Doctors He also said he feels at home here. He shared for Life International, Dr Albu van Eeden) has that he started visiting the Mission many supported me and my husband, and so have years ago (from 1984) after he was saved the entire leadership,” Elsa shares. Like her from a criminal lifestyle during a sermon by husband, Elsa is adamant that she wants to Reverend Erlo. He also became an evangelist be buried at the Mission when it is her time after this experience, and his regular visits to to go. the Mission is needed for spiritual guidance and growth. Zamambo came to help Elsa in the garden. I caught a glimpse of the friendly, During my stay, Carien Meyer also came always smiling, lady. She clearly loves helping to check on Elsa’s well-being. This motherly out in this way and the recent rains also help woman has nine children and most of them a lot. “I love it, too much”, she said, “You must are still residing with her at the Mission. Her come back to see how it has grown.” I got two eldest daughters got married and left the Mission. 6 www.devotedmag.co.za

“My husband and I came to the Mission which was recently upgraded after I asked The leaders of the KwaSizabantu in 1999 with two children”, she said “and for some maintenance to be done at the Mission have worked together with their I had my third child here. We left the previous house. I was so surprised but workers, co-workers, volunteers, and the Delmas sect at the time, so we know for thankful. I remember when I was pregnant community to build a sustainable mission sure what a sect is, which this place is with my youngest child (who is now three over many decades, so it can continue definitely not. I want to stay here, and I years old), I had health problems as a serving others. Through hard work and hope the rest of my children would also result of high blood pressure and others. dedication, they have selflessly built the choose to stay here when they’re grown, He(Stegen) called every day to enquire Mission from scratch on virgin land, using but I will not force them. about my health and if the baby was here the limited resources they had to build yet. Not even my own family did that!” on what natural resources were provided “We came here with nothing, just a car she concluded. for them. which we sold, and a washing machine. Last year we moved to a bigger house The joy of having a job! Most people would define a good job as one that comes with a decent salary, a healthy and safe work environment, and reasonable work hours. But if you really want to know what being able to work means, you have to ask a job seeker who endlessly struggles to find a job. For these jobseekers, it is not always about the paycheck but the ability to fulfil other needs. The Kranskop area, where the Mission is situated, is a remote area and good jobs are hard to come by. Against this background, the KwaSizabantu Mission’s job creation projects have helped countless local community members and their families over the years. They have paved the way for many to earn a decent living and help others do the same. The Mission takes care of the spiritual needs of the local community, and their job creation projects provide an outcome for families which have no other place to go to find work. Mzwamandla Ngcobo works at the fertiliser Nikeziswe Sithole works in the dairy factory project where they make compost. He said, on the farm, and it is clear she enjoys every “We make fertiliser for planting crops. I came to minute of it. Her smiling face when I entered the KwaSizabantu Mission in 2017 to look for work. workplace said it all! The dairy factory is one of Being in the Mission helped me a lot by getting the first businesses the Mission started in their information about agriculture. I came here without quest to become sustainable so they can serve others. Nikeziswe said that she can support her knowing anything about agriculture. family with dignity since she started working I like to encourage people to love the soil. I am very grateful for this Mission because I can now at the factory. support my family by working there and there (sic) teaching me about agriculture.” www.devotedmag.co.za 7

Content is king – even in community news Radio Khwezi is taking the lead In a world filled with fake news, The value of community radio lies is a radio station for all its peoples. Because we stand out from the crowd in in the fact that it improves its of this feedback, we try to focus more on the community’s livelihood. It plays a music people enjoy and not on discussions our efforts to provide readers significant role at a grassroots level in the German programme, because we with honest and authentic for rural development, speaks to its listeners use our listeners’ feedback in planning our in their language, helps to build a sense of programmes.” news. Devoted gladly links with community and, most importantly, informs like-minded media outlets, and and uplifts its listeners. Community radio One of the station’s projects that allows today, the spotlight is on Radio informs its listeners about what is happening them to make a difference is the Listeners globally and provides information that helps Club, with over 7 000 registered members Khwezi in KwaZulu-Natal*. them formulate informed opinions. representing 40 branches in the community. The Club allows the station to engage Radio Khwezi is a success story par with local political office bearers about excellence and lives up to its motto, service delivery issues and other important “Changing lives, giving hope”. Their vision is matters of mutual interest. This has proven to “uplift our communities and to improve to be most successful in educating the their lives”. As one of South Africa’s most communities and helping them understand successful and largest rural community the position of the local authorities. The radio stations, they broadcast to more than Club also has annual meetings and year-end 100 000 listeners. The station serves the functions. North Coast and KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. These are just some examples of Radio Khwezi’s content is a unique local flavour Khwezi doing its part to uplift, inform, of languages, culture, and content, which is and educate listeners. They also have well received by the listeners. The content counselling helplines that are available to the and broadcastings represent high-quality community. Anyone can download the Radio regional, national, and international Khwezi app, and the three helpline numbers standards, and the station’s essence is built are on the home page. By clicking on any on Christian values. of these numbers, people are immediately connected with well-trained counsellors Daniel Wunderlich, the station manager, standing by to assist! says: “Our daily German programme for an hour in the afternoons is very popular and Over time, Radio Khwezi has received well-received by our extended German numerous accolades and awards for the community. But our Zulu community quality they bring to the industry. “Those reported that they tune into this programme awards are important to us because it to listen to the music that they enjoy! It is provides us with a benchmark to help us stay heart-warming to receive such wonderful on track and give our community our best,” and positive feedback because Radio Khwezi says Daniel. 8 www.devotedmag.co.za

Radio Khwezi offers uplifting and Kwezi not only provides information but is microphone in her hand! Great was my informative content, and they recently active in skills development. Mmangaliso surprise when she told me that she did had a discussion about prostitution and Zuma, a young presenter who joined not have formal training as a broadcaster its impact. They exposed a concerning the station late in 2020, is an excellent and that the station trained her on the new trend that negatively impacts their example of the skills development and job. She says, “I have great gratitude about community where young and vulnerable knowledge transfer the radio station the high level of training and assistance I young girls fall prey to older men. Terms engages in. She is on air from Monday receive from the station to empower me like ‘blessers’ and ‘blessees’ disguise the to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00, to do what I like to do best – inform and fact that men pay young girls for sexual and it is clear that she enjoys what she educate my community members.” favours, which is a criminal offence. Now, does. She is especially passionate about South Africa wants to follow suit and empowering women and enthusiastically Radio Khwezi (morning star in Zulu) is legalise this immoral practice. Decision- explains the station’s efforts to inform and a non-profit radio station with roots in makers have numerous arguments for educate women by including interesting serving the rural communities in which it legalising it, but these arguments are all topics with great educational value in operates. It is based at the KwaSizabantu irrational and not to the benefit of our the programmes. These topics include Mission (KSB) and receives tremendous communities. If this is also your believe, childcare, recipes, and a whole range of support from the Mission. you can sign the petition, Say NO to interesting topics that allow interaction legalised Sexual Exploitation, Brotherl- between the presenters, guests, and (Note from the editor: *A short version of this Keeping, and Pimping in South Africa, listeners. article was also posted on Ithemba le KZN by following the link, https://chng. Facebook page. You can read more about the it/4mDB4FCX. Mmangaliso is very good at her radio station on www.khwezi.org.za.) job, almost as if she was born with a Mmangaliso Zuma Mmangaliso in action Octavia Epharim talking about human trafficking Radio Khwezi and aQuellé Devoted accompanied them on an outing and can testify are cleaning up neglected areas that the awesome team really enjoys helping the community to make a difference. They are paving the way for the rest As far back as 1995, Radio Khwezi has been working with of the country to follow their clean-up footsteps and join the communities in which it operates. A community outreach the journey! that it regularly supports is the Its KHULA to clean up together campaign. The award-winning bottled drink, aQuellé, has This is how you clean up a neglected and unclean taken the lead with this clean-up campaign and they are environment – doing it together! You can also make a impacting neighbourhoods big time. Their new soft drink, difference in your own community by doing the same. Khula, is at the root of the campaign. Team up with local businesses and your local authority and start cleaning up. This is to the benefit of you, your A community clean-up is a project in which all can community and neighbourhood; and you contribute to participate to make a difference to the environment. economic development! The aQuellé team takes pride in knowing they are helping to regain a usable space for the community. S’khu, the friendly aQuellé KHULA mascot, likes to join in the fun and excitement and sees his task as handing out well-deserved refreshments, while Radio Khwezi invites others to join in the fun. They initiated the clean-up campaign in 2020 and regularly work together with communities and local authorities to make the world a cleaner place for those who live in it. So far the aQuellé team had a successful clean-up in Ulundi, Mtubatuba, Stanger, Umvoti, Maphumulo, KwaDukuza, and they have already teamed up with other communities and will soon join them in cleaning-up neglected areas. www.devotedmag.co.za 9

Elsa Bosman explains why she fights for discipline in schools In front of me sits a 77-year E lsa has been married for over 52 years “Educators such as Wood and Zuber-Skerritt old lady who recently received to the same man, but her husband (2013) argue that PALAR is supported by sadly passed away this year. She is a emancipatory, democratic, and participatory a doctorate degree. I call mother of 4 children and grandmother of values. This, in turn, can lead to openness her “lady” because to me 14 grandchildren. But over the years she has and respect for different beliefs and the she represents what I regard also mothered many of the learners since development of shared wisdom to guide the as being a lady: she is soft- she started with her teaching career at the participants in transformation and durable spoken, listens tentatively age of 25. Elsa got married after she started change, while breaking down barriers her career as a teacher, took a break while established by power relationships. The when one talks and her welcoming her own children into the world, researcher and the participants contribute whole presence speaks of and later continued with teaching. equally to the research relationship, based on discipline, empathy, and love Her career as an educator span over 25 years respect and trust to bring about change.’ for others. It is therefore no and now she is taking it a step further with surprise that Elsa Bosman her PhD. I wanted to know more about why “I have to highlight a few facts about the decided at such a ripe age she decided to do a doctorate on subject under discussion: to further her studies and the subject. • The research topic centred around do a doctorate on discipline in schools. Dr Bosman is a What are your studies all about? discipline in secondary schools and student counsellor at the “In essence my research was about strategies to assist educators to deal with relationship-centered strategies for discipline-related issues in the classroom. Cedar International improving discipline in rural secondary • Since corporal punishment was Academy NPC. schools. It is called the PALAR approach abandoned in schools in South Africa, (Participatory Action Learning and Action discipline in schools deteriorated notably. Research)’. • Educators had to find new ways of dealing with discipline. “In short it implies doing research within • During this research it was determined the community where the problem is that positive and effective discipline start experienced. The PALAR process, through with caring, respectful educator-learner collaborative transformation, helps relationships. The educator as the adult in people to take responsibility for their lives this relationship must take the lead in the and influence others to do the same by establishment of such relationships. making their voices heard and recognise • Educators must be role models and lead indigenous skills and knowledge. It aims at the way. the improvement of conditions as well as • Educators, as the second parent, must fostering critical and collaborative reflection take care of their learners, and provide a on personal and community experiences.’ safe teaching and learning environment for the learners at school. 10 www.devotedmag.co.za

• Only after a positive educator-learner vary from corporal punishment that was studies. Many times I was at a dead end, relationship is established educators abolished to children knowing their rights but after prayer and crying to the Lord for can apply positive discipline. Positive and using it as a weapon against teachers. help, dedication and hard work paid off.” discipline is the opposite of punitive Parents make it worse as they would discipline. Positive discipline must come into the classrooms and argue with Why do you fight for discipline in inspire learners to improve their teachers in front of the children. schools? behaviour. I would say that it is the case in most public “Discipline affects a child’s total schools. The discipline is very bad, and in development process and bad behavior • Teaching morals and values is most cases the results are chaos in schools, disrupts the entire class. Bad behavior has a extremely important but it is worthless drug abuse, teenager pregnancies, and negative impact on the rest of the class, on if the educators do not set the example a myriad of other challenges that impact the teacher and on the school eventually. for the learners. us all.’ Teaching time is used to discipline children, and mostly for the sake of the others in the What made you decide to become an “According to my research the teachers class. If they are more disciplined in class, educator in the first place? feel that the only thing left is positive the better the progress. An ill-disciplined “I love children and I wanted to make a punishment where the child is uplifted. child’s progress is not on par, they then difference in their lives. In my younger days To be able to do that, there must be turn to drugs, violence, immorality, and women could only become teachers, social respect present - respect for the teacher other problems. It is a spiral and it affects workers, nurses, or typists (secretaries); and respect for the child. For that the academic progress of children. I can and I chose teaching as a career. I taught to happen, it is important to build a share with you that only 60% of learners in dominantly so-called white schools relationship with the child and look at the who start Grade 1 make it to Grade 12. and I taught in townships for many years bigger picture and not focus on the ill- Students of today are the leaders of pre-1994. I have found over the broad disciplined child.” tomorrow. Teachers must realise that they spectrum that children in general are eager must be the role models and they have a to learn. The level of standard then was Why did you do a doctorate? responsibility to empower the children.” good, and children were disciplined. Sadly, “From a young age I was taught at home it has changed post 1994.” and school that if I start something, I must What I have learned from my talks finish it. I did my Master’s degree and with Elsa is that if you apply positive What do you think is the core problem knew that at some stage in my life I must with our education system currently? still do my PhD. As a lecturer at a Christian discipline, in other words talk to “Discipline in schools starts with the teacher’s college of education I realized the child about the reasons for bad teacher. Other studies found that teachers that I need to qualify myself to the best of behaviour, you are on the right track. are not interested in teaching as it is a my ability. It will also contribute to further The aim is to allow for the child to springboard to where they want to be. God’s work. After much prayer I realized provide reasons for bad behaviour. To give you one example: In one of the that this is what God wants me to do and I And then to address the root problem. schools where I did research, I found a total must be obedient.’ of 72 children in one classroom for one Indiscipline in schools has many teacher. How can a teacher under these “We are never too old to learn and to negative results. Not only on the circumstances have any control over the study. It is my hope that my studies will learners, but also on the health of the children or discipline them?’ be an inspiration to young people to at all educators and the economy of the times do their best, seek God’s will and do country because learners drop out of “It is all about discipline in schools. If you as He commands them. To this effect I can school. This has a negative effect on talk to teachers, they complain about the only testify how God carried me during the their future career possibilities. lack of discipline in schools. The complaints past three years while I was busy with my www.devotedmag.co.za 11

The joy of sight restored! The Doctors for Life Cataract surgery is one of the safest country’s needs. There is a great need for International (DFL) volunteer surgical procedures in medicine, assistance and a mounting backlog of blind with a high success rate, allowing patients needing cataract surgery. In the teams’ work is profound, the dedicated DFL teams to do successful past, other countries supported Botswana, especially during their Aid outreaches that profoundly save and change but there is currently no support for these to Africa outreaches. They lives. The DFL health community outreaches patients. save many lives during these provide access to medical consultation outreaches and positively and healthcare for vulnerable communities An ‘ordinary’ outreach to African countries impact the lives of countless without the cost to the patients who are comes with extremely difficult circumstances the poorest of the poor. Over the years, the and logistic challenges, never mind an vulnerable patients by DFL teams have successfully restored vision outreach during a pandemic! We asked restoring their sight and to countless blind people from vulnerable the program director, Johann Claassen, to communities through their Aid to Africa describe the challenges, milestones, and dignity. Although the outreach programme. (You can watch successes of the DFL outreach to Botswana. pandemic also impacted their Doctors for Life, When blind people see This is his account of what they have again by following the link, https://youtube. experienced: work, stories like this one be/6zsTFdjxgC0) highlight the team’s efforts “The Botswana outreach was a challenge especially during hard times. In general, members of vulnerable for many reasons, and the fact that it was so And we think you appreciate communities experience greater risk factors successful is no small milestone – I see many success stories so much more and worse access to healthcare. They are miracles in it. dependent on the goodwill of initiatives when you know the story such as the Aid to Africa programme. The “Up until two days before we had to leave behind the story, don’t you? initiative aims to help, uplift, and support for Botswana, we still struggled with obtaining these vulnerable communities deprived of a passport for the main eye specialist. On top healthcare and other services. of that, the two other eye specialists did not receive their approved temporary registration Despite the pandemic’s additional to work as ophthalmologists in the particular challenges, the team organised an outreach to country. The permission from the Botswana Botswana that was exceptionally challenging Unified Revenue Service (BURS) to import the but an outstanding, fruitful outreach. Before much-needed medication, consumables, and the outreach the team has partnered with equipment was also outstanding. an ophthalmologist from a private eyecare hospital in Gauteng, Dr Lourens Coetzee, “As we had already ordered, packed, and and he gracefully sponsored some of the started transporting the needed stock and consumables and his own transport for the equipment for the outreach, we decided not outreach. to wait to finalise the administration and to move forward in faith. The team had to start Botswana has only three government with the surgeries on a specific Monday, and ophthalmologists to take care of the entire the Friday was basically their deadline. It was on this Friday that we still experienced 12 www.devotedmag.co.za

logistical challenges, or rather, red tape DFL team believes in empowerment Patients arrived at the Scottish Livingston issues. through partnerships as they can do much Hospital in Molepole from various regions in more together. During the Botswana “While the clock was ticking, the team outreach, the team was joined by an eye Southern Botswane to get help had no choice but to push forward but specialist from Botswana and one from took the time to pray continuously for Cuba. A formidable group of nurses and Vulnerable communities do not have access to blessings upon their work. Then, by no less support staff from Botswana also helped food sources or medical care than a miracle, we received the doctor’s and worked long hours alongside the DFL passport in South Africa. We also received team. Patients came from the southern Many members of remote areas walk for kilome- both doctors’ registration in Botswana regions of Botswana, and some had tres and days to get help from Doctors For Life and approval from the Botswana customs to travel as far as 660 km from villages importation section. These outstanding around Ghanzi. The Botswana Ministry of This old man walked for 13 days to be documents were finalised around the Health assisted them with transport. able to get medical care same time on the Friday afternoon (some www.devotedmag.co.za 13 of the outstanding documents were Johan says many of the patients received minutes before government are bushmen and can only speak the offices started to shut down for the local language. The team depends on weekend). translators to help with the language barriers, and this makes it possible “Each of these items was pivotal for the for them to interact with the patients, success of the outreach, and it sounds get more information about their crazy that a community outreach must circumstances, and explain the impact of depend on administration and the the eye surgery on their lives. The stories willingness of government officials to bring a lump to one’s throat: assist. While some officials do not really understand our work and the impact “One of our patients, Qumma Tsaa, was thereof on individuals and communities, blind in one eye,” says Johan. “He was very luckily, there are those who have a clear excited and so thankful to see again. He understanding and support us all the way. said he struggled to perform his duties properly and was eager to get back home “The administrative setbacks were just and back to work. It was a joy to listen to some of the challenges the team had to him speak in his native language as he endure in their efforts to reach out to shared his stories with us in an animated the less reached communities. Another way. He did not know his age and his ID challenge that could have had catastrophic card merely showed xx/xx/1958. His friend, outcomes, was a problem with one of the Tjetjex, also came from the Ghanzi area, tyres. As we offloaded the Land Cruiser at also received eye surgery, and translated the hospital upon our arrival, we noticed a Qumma’s story into Afrikaans! His huge bulge on one of the back tyres. Being birthdate was also unknown to him; his ID fully and heavily loaded with equipment showed: 01/01/1960. and stock, a tyre burst at high speed could have been disastrous. It was only a miracle “We took the time to get to know some that the vehicle was stopped at just the of the patients. One of the older nurses right time for the bulge to be visible from invited us to share a message with the the back as a tyre burst was imminent. patients waiting outside to be helped Notwithstanding the huge logistical before they started with the screening challenges, we were blessed and arrived process. Their singing was beautiful and safely at the local hospital in Molepolole. touched our hearts. “We replaced this tyre with a spare tyre “People’s reaction after successful that was bought in Malawi several years cataract surgery is priceless. Their prior during an outreach there. It was an gratitude has no end and reminds us why unknown brand and probably not the best it is better to give than receive. When their quality, but was all the team could get eye pads are removed, some of the women when they also had a tyre failure. After the are so happy to be able to see again - they conclusion of the Botswana eye surgery clap their hands in appreciation, and one campaign about a week later, we headed of them said, ‘God is great!’ back to South Africa with the spare tyre. When we got close to Rustenburg at “One of the women told us that she around 8pm, we suddenly heard a load could not go to the toilet, cook, or go and growing rumbling noise. Expecting to the hospital by herself. And these are a tyre failure, I hit the brakes and stopped just some of the everyday tasks that she just in time. We again had a heavy load struggled with. She only has two children, and the Malawian tyre was a “write off.” and when they leave for the day, she has God kept his hand on us again. A volunteer to remain alone at home, not being able to and supporter came to assist us to get the do much for herself. vehicle to one of our depots in the local town, Hartbeespoort. “ “Some of the patients reacted very emotionally. When a woman named Strengthening partnerships with Mmasello’s eye pad was removed, she humanitarian workers, local organisations, started to cry. She explained that she cried and individuals is a great way to maintain because she could not see before, ‘But now community outreach programmes. The I can see.’ Her face was beaming when she told us she became blind in one eye about

three years ago and then completely a snake,’ and then the snake was killed. Tjestjexho, pointing in the direction of the tum- blind in both eyes about two years She then said, ‘I, therefore, thank God to bling “E” during a post-operation acuity test later. She said she waited a long time be able to see properly now.’ to be operated on because, although she had been booked for surgery, they “Mmasello lives a simple life. At (the local hospital) did not have the home, she used to do piece jobs, as the medicines and materials needed for the locals call it. She also collected refuse operation. for an income. Thankfully her husband and two children seemed to have “She said, ‘It is painful not to see.’ She taken care of her while she was blind. explained that a simple daily necessity Before her husband went to work, he such as eating was difficult. Her helpers would give her water to bathe, and would put a pot of food next to her so when he returned, he continued to she could feel it, and then she would assist her. She said that she would cry eat the food using her fingers only. She after returning home when she saw her also had to be led to the toilet. If there husband’s face, something she could was no one to help her, she would try not do for a long time.” to walk but then fall. (All pictures were provided, courtesy “She told us she was once almost Doctors For Life International. Visit bitten by a snake. The snake passed by the website, www.doctorsforlife.co.za her, but she could not see it. A child to read more about the Aid to Africa came to her aid and shouted, ‘There is community outreach). Qumma Tsaa after his eye pad was removed. He does not know his birth date! 14 www.devotedmag.co.za

You can GIVE a little - it will HELP a lot. Your support can change and save a life! Vulnerable communities are dependent on humanitarian workers such as the Doctors For Life International teams and the work they do through the Aid to Africa outreach. It is a profound and noble calling. We cannot all do surgery or accompany an outreach, but we can support them in so many other ways. Here are a few ways you can help them: • Visit their website, www.doctorsforlife.co.za, and find out more. There are many ways to contribute and support them. • Forward this article to your networks and on your social media platforms to help Devoted create awareness of the lifesaving and life-changing work DFL International does. • It costs only R2 000 (the costs of a good meal now in a restaurant) to profoundly impact one blind person’s life and help give them the gift of sight and dignity. Devoted is sponsoring an individual and would like to challenge all reading this article to join us. You can help change a life, and the DFL teams can do so much more. “Thank you to the One no eye can see!” (A woman’s praise after cataract surgery.) www.devotedmag.co.za 15

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