The courtyard of St Martins-in-the-Veld Anglican Church in Rosebank was alive with hope and humanity.

On October 8, the church welcomed members of the local homeless community for a Health and Wellness Day, a thoughtful initiative in partnership with the Randburg Clinic.

The day was designed to connect the community with essential healthcare services, many of which are often inaccessible to those living without a permanent home.

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“We wanted to make our patrons at the St Martin’s Soup Kitchen and the broader Rosebank community aware of the services available to them in the public health sector,” explained Yolisa Siqebengu, council member for outreach at the church.

Thanks to the efforts of Phindi Magama, a health promoter at Randburg Municipal Clinic, a team of health professionals offered a wide range of free screenings and services. Guests could get tested for HIV, TB, and high blood pressure, have cholesterol and kidney function checked, receive Pap smears, explore family planning methods, and even catch up on missed child vaccinations.

Men could undergo PSA testing for prostate health, while individuals at risk were offered PrEP to prevent HIV infection.

“Many people only discover serious health conditions like HIV, TB, or cancer too late,” said Magama. “Initiatives like this allow them to know their status early and seek treatment in time.”

For those attending, the health services were paired with a warm, nourishing meal from the church’s weekly soup kitchen. The simple act of a hot plate of food and friendly conversation became a moment of dignity and care in lives often marked by uncertainty. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 65 attendees participating in the day’s offerings.

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Of these, 21 people tested for HIV, 41 checked for hypertension and diabetes, 10 were screened for TB, and one individual had a Pap smear.

Beyond the numbers, the day was about community, faith, and compassion. “Through our outreach, including the soup kitchen, we aim to connect with God, with each other, and with the world,” explained Siqebengu. “Our goal is to improve lives through deeds that reflect the Gospel of Christ, and in turn, make us better people.”

The church aims to revive its Wellness Clinic, which operated for more than a decade until Dr Nosiba Skenjana’s retirement last year. They are inviting retired healthcare professionals to assist in ongoing wellness efforts.

For St Martin’s, the Health and Wellness Day was a reminder that care and community support can transform lives, one test, conversation, and meal at a time.

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