I have been doing research (very informally) on mobile clinics around the world. This concept came into my mind a few years ago when I was thinking about our move to the Eastern Cape. I was in our previous home in Joburg, pondering on our future. At that stage, I knew nothing about the concept of mobile clinic. I didn't even know they existed. I only had some ideas about using a mobile unit to do outreach in disadvantages communities. I heard of the idea of converting a bus into a unit that can fold out into a stage, etc, in order to do children's outreach programme, etc.
So I started to imagine a mobile clinic for kids in the Eastern Cape. There are many rural or semi-rural communities wherne children do not have access to facilities. I am not a medical doctor, but my background in education and psychology allows me to imagine a mobile clinic that would provide mental health and educational services to the communities.
Life took over and for the last 2 years I was busy making a living, literally. For survival purposes, we sometimes put aside our dreams and do what is necessary. I must be honest, I have been very blessed to get involved in setting up a remedial school, which was one of my dreams too. I can't say it was all work and no fun. Just that the idea of the mobile clinic was no long on the forefront of my mind.... until recently.
All of a sudden I have been faced with the need to make our services at ELSEN more accessible and available to the community. Many children and teenagers sitting with their problems, not knowing where to find help. Our high schools in the Eastern Cape apparently have the highest teenage pragnancy rate. There are many drop outs. Early intervention is not a priority as far as the local government is concerned. The numbers of children with educational and mental problems are increasing.
I feel compeled to be a part of the solution to these problems, even though I can only play a small part; a very small part indeed. Having a mobile clinic to bring help and support to these young people, hopefully, can begin to make a difference in their lives. But to do something like this needs a considerable amount of planning and preparation. I am still in the research phase.
So I started to imagine a mobile clinic for kids in the Eastern Cape. There are many rural or semi-rural communities wherne children do not have access to facilities. I am not a medical doctor, but my background in education and psychology allows me to imagine a mobile clinic that would provide mental health and educational services to the communities.
Life took over and for the last 2 years I was busy making a living, literally. For survival purposes, we sometimes put aside our dreams and do what is necessary. I must be honest, I have been very blessed to get involved in setting up a remedial school, which was one of my dreams too. I can't say it was all work and no fun. Just that the idea of the mobile clinic was no long on the forefront of my mind.... until recently.
All of a sudden I have been faced with the need to make our services at ELSEN more accessible and available to the community. Many children and teenagers sitting with their problems, not knowing where to find help. Our high schools in the Eastern Cape apparently have the highest teenage pragnancy rate. There are many drop outs. Early intervention is not a priority as far as the local government is concerned. The numbers of children with educational and mental problems are increasing.
I feel compeled to be a part of the solution to these problems, even though I can only play a small part; a very small part indeed. Having a mobile clinic to bring help and support to these young people, hopefully, can begin to make a difference in their lives. But to do something like this needs a considerable amount of planning and preparation. I am still in the research phase.
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