HOEDSPRUIT: Rotary Foundation Awards Hlokomela Women’s Clinic $58,000
"We strive to be creative and innovative in making the services of the clinic accessible to all women in Hoedspruit and the surrounding areas."
Michael Henderson, Hoedspruit Rotary Foundation Chair, has worked diligently for many months spearheading the application to Rotary Foundation in conjunction with colleagues from the Rotary Club of Sausalito, California, to ensure Christine du Preez and her team at Hlokomela receive a Rotary Foundation grant to expand the services offered at their Women’s’ Clinic.
Rotary Foundation rules are very strict when awarding grants and require regular audits and monthly monitoring of any funds released. The local finance committee sits regularly to ensure funds are allocated according to the strategic plans submitted to the foundation.
Sonja Botha, who runs the Women’s Clinic, is overjoyed to have the additional resources. She says, “We strive to be creative and innovative in making the services of the clinic accessible to all women in Hoedspruit and the surrounding areas.”
Read: Hoedspruit Rotary receive a welcome surprise
Christine and Sonja were recently handed an enormous cheque for US $58,000 at a gala event at Fig and Bean. The cheque was handed over by Wilna Mew, President, Michael Henderson, Foundation Chair and Ole Ahrens, President Elect of the Hoedspruit Rotary Club.
Christine says: “We are so proud of our first world Women’s Clinic, and the number of women attending increases every month. They come for breast cancer examinations, pap smears, pelvic and abdominal and any other ultrasound screenings that are available.”
Read: Hoedspruit Rotary welcomes new lady President
Wilna Mew, Rotary Hoedspruit President, says she was very impressed by the service she recently received when going for her annual check-up and explained how affordable her examination was.
She also mentioned how much more relaxed she was at Hlokomela, instead of travelling all the way to Nelspruit in the traffic.
The Black Mambas, due to a generous donation, also attended the clinic for their check-ups and Sonja explains, “These ladies are tough and appear intimidating in their uniforms but they have the same fears and concerns shared by all women.”
