ROKPA Times March 2017 - For strong girls and women

<strong>ROKPA</strong> TEAM
A day in the life of...
My name is Maria Segomelo and I work
for <strong>ROKPA</strong> as manager of the Tirisano
Crèche in Groot Marico, South Africa. I
am also involved with the local community
as an HIV/AIDS home based carer.
I have always cared for others. Alongside
my own two children I have also raised
two of my younger siblings and a daughter
of one of my older sisters as they were in
need of care. Presently, I care for three
children whose mothers are unable to
cope with them.
A typical day in my life begins with caring
for my own extended family’s needs. I
then set off for my morning rounds to
check on the health and welfare of the
HIV/AIDS infected people. HIV/AIDS
infection rate is high here. After finishing
my rounds, I collect the children and we
set off over the hill to the crèche. I spend
most mornings there supervising activities
and food with a helper.
Every day there are 10 to 17 children to
look after. All the children come from low
income families, many living on state
grants. Their parents, most of them single
mothers, send them to the crèche for
stimulation and for meals. Two children in
the crèche are orphans.
After lunch, I return home where I get
busy with community issues or family
tasks. One of my major roles is in
supporting the dying and their relatives
and organizing the traditional big two to
three day funerals.
I am not well myself as I have diabetes.
Currently, I can control my diabetes with
diet, but will soon be starting stronger
medication. My eyesight is badly affected
and there seems little they can do to help.
But I remain positive and hope to
continue supporting the community for as
long as I am able.
Crèche manager Maria gives affection
to her protégés.
I work for <strong>ROKPA</strong> because...
Everyone has their own personal reasons
to volunteer. My commitment to <strong>ROKPA</strong>
has resulted from a powerful experience.
When I agreed to work as a volunteer at
the <strong>ROKPA</strong> Soup Kitchen in Kathmandu
in January / February of 2015, I had no
idea what I was getting into. My reaction
was based on a lack of knowledge about
the situation – first I was upset, then
confused. And afterwards, I became
convinced that the poorest of the poor,
especially women, would not have a
chance to lead a self-determined life one
day without help from outside.
This was especially clear to me
when I visited the <strong>ROKPA</strong> Children's
Home during my stay in Kathmandu,
where girls and boys are treated
equally, where girls learn that they are
strong and where they get the tools to
live fulfilling lives.
In the meantime, I have been working
for <strong>ROKPA</strong> Donor Relations for over a
year. I am happy that my work helps
<strong>ROKPA</strong> continue to provide a dignified
life for all in the future.
Henriette Levy,
<strong>ROKPA</strong> Volunteer Donor Relations at the
headquarters in Zurich
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