Not only does the Germiston branch of the South African Red Cross Society care for the community, it also trains others to do the same.
There are a number of training courses available to the community, and they are instructed and assessed by three qualified and expert instructors, Supuni Stanslas, Christobel Mulenga and Zodwa Nkambule.
The moderator, who ensures everything runs smoothly, is Sister Wendy Hahne, from the Elandsvallei Home for the Aged.
The Red Cross also offers a six-month home-based care training course to the community.
In this course, students complete their theory and portfolio work at the Germiston Red Cross offices, in Campbell Street, Driehoek.
After passing their examination, they are placed in institutions (old age homes and children’s homes, for example) to complete their practical work.The course covers a number of topics, including care of the elderly and frail; stimulation and care of infants and toddlers; care of the physically and mentally challenged; care of HIV and Aids patients, TB care and a Level One first aid course.
Other important modules covered are infectious diseases and disaster management.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are issued with internationally recognised certificates.
Since January, this year, the Germiston Red Cross has trained 139 students in home-based care.
Manager of the Germiston Red Cross Barbara Jensen told the GCN that she encourages companies who want to do CSI projects to make monetary donations to the Red Cross.
“People in the community can then be identified and these donations can pay for their training, thus giving a disadvantaged person a skill,” Jensen said.
“It could also work well if they want to help their employee’s families – they could sponsor a course for a family member.”
The Red Cross also offers first aid training.
So far, this year, they have taught 153 students in Level One first aid, 20 in Level Two and 11 in Level Three.
“A recent survey has found that about 80 per cent of our past pupils are either employed full time or on short-term contracts,” Jensen said.
Many of the students have used the training as a foundation for further learning and many work in hospitals, institutions, homes, care centres or private homes.
In future, the Germiston Red Cross is hoping to partner with specialists in the wound care, diabetes and nutrition fields.
For more information about the training offered, call 011 873-9009.
