Arebaokeng Hospice in Hospitalview takes care of the sick in Tembisa.
The founder and director Ms Flora Modiba said she registered the non profit organisation in 2000.
She said she started the initiative by providing home-based care in 2001 and later set up a hospice which opened its doors in July 2016.
Ms Modiba boasts 51 years of experience as a professional nurse in the government sector.
Her career in the sector spans from 1965 to 1996 and she left to serve in private clinics for five years.
“I just loved the nursing profession since I was in high school. Our school was opposite a nurse’s house. I saw her every day when she went to and from work and I admired her,” said Ms Modiba.
She said when she started working as a nurse she just loved it and worked her way up through the ranks from student nurse and attained more qualifications in the profession.
“When I left the profession, I went to teaching nursing. When I was in the private sector I noticed that when there was nothing more the doctors could do for a patient, the patient was referred to a hospice. I got inspired and developed interest in how a hospice works,” said Ms Modiba.
She said she started researching hospices and gradually fell in love with the idea of starting her own hospice.
She identified a need in Tembisa as there was no hospice at all.
“I organised a few people in the community who would form a steering committee and they became the first board in the organisation,” she said.
She said she had challenges including lack of starting capital, getting people to work in the hospice and securing land to build the hospice.
Today the organisation has functional premises and a proper administration facility.
When asked about the services of a hospice Ms Modiba said they render terminal care services, respite care, treating pain and symptoms.
“Our service is meant to give a short break to a critically ill patient. The aim is to improve quality of life to terminally ill patients and support their families,” she said.
She said for the hospice to keep its doors open they have to continuously keep fundraising.
Ms Modiba said the existence of the hospice has made a big difference in the community of Tembisa.
“We want the community to own the hospice for the hospice to keep on providing its service. We urge the community to pledge a small amount per month,” said Ms Modiba.
For those who want to donate to the hospice contact 011 025 0702 or 083 956 8785.