Season 2 - Episode 10

Gentle Care

Why did Lottoland choose Gentle Care as a project to support.

Britstown (population ± 9 500) is a small town in the arid KAROO region of the Northern Cape, South Africa, an area largely associated with sheep farming. The town has an estimated unemployment rate of about 98% and very high incidence rates for HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, cancer and FAS (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome). The nearest hospital is in the town of De Aar, 53 kilometres away. Britstown has no resident Doctor.

In 2000 after losing a third sister to cancer, Ivonne Gentle started going door-to-door in the impoverished community offering home-based care to the sick, vulnerable and neglected. When one of her patients, close to death, was kicked out of her home, Ivonne took her in and nursed her back to health. Ivonne realised that this was not an isolated case and that poor living conditions, malnutrition, the but persistence of stigma (especially surrounding HIV/Aids) and an inability or the unwillingness of families to care for their sick, meant that many weren’t receiving the care they needed. Some were dying alone, uncared for and unloved.

Gentlecare, a care centre and registered NPO, opened it’s doors in February 2007. It is a surrogate home for the sick who are homeless of who don’t receive the care they need at home. Gentlecare has separate men’s and woman’s wards – decorated in life affirming magenta, pink and orange – with a total of 30 beds. A very calming and relaxed ICU unit. A dedicated group of volunteer caregivers who alongside Ivonne provide 24/7 care.

Patients receive three nutritious meals a day, a clean bed, attentive care and love. Those that pass away, do so with dignity and the knowledge that they are valued and loved. Others make remarkable recoveries.

Gentle Care Wishlist

Lottoland receives a “wishlist” from each organisation that we support. The need in all the projects we get involved in is so big and our contribution towards these projects are only a drop in the ocean. We’ve asked these organisations to share their wishlists with you.