Shortly two months after PE Express reported about the state of disrepair of the Thuthuzela Care Centre at Dora Nginza Hospital, where victims of rape are helped, members of the community have stepped in to upgrade the facility.
Learners from Alexander Road High School also did their part to help with the revamp by donating several tins of paint.
The donations from the community included toiletries, blankets, cutlery, crockery, a kettle and stove.
In collaboration with the Junior City Council and The Church of Jesus Christ, the non-profit organisation, Giving Gifts of Love, helped to paint the rape crisis centre.
The waiting room for the patients and the bathroom underwent a complete revamp, with a fresh coat of paint and new curtains.
CEO of the NPO, Desiree Goodwin, said that the revamp day is one that will impact the unfortunate victims that visit the centre for help, treatment and counselling.
“I believe that this will be an improvement for the victims because we’ve made it a more welcoming place and given the interior walls a new face,” Goodwin said.
Since it is a rape clinic, victims go there for medical check-ups, which means that there is an examination room, space for the nurse, an office for the National Prosecuting Authority, a waiting room, an office for the police where they take statements and there is space for a counsellor to provide therapy.
In September this year, PE Expressreported about the conditions at the centre and how the rape ordeal is made just a little more difficult if the centre where one is supposed to be receiving help is in a state of disrepair.
The wooden front door of the facility was being patched from time to time with the wind blowing right through it, sometimes knocking it off its hinges.
The very same patched-up door would then be refitted for business as usual to take place.
Apart from the door, the conditions of the walls, windows, floor and the blinds were quite bad, according to Goodwin.
These are the reasons why the NPO decided to help and involve the community so that a huge difference could be made.
“Since rape is the worst thing that a person has to endure, our goal was to make the place more comforting and comfortable for all rape victims that enter this clinic on a daily basis. It is nice to see that not everything is in a sad state anymore.”
Goodwin and her NPO have been involved with the rape crisis centre for years, where they have been providing comfort packages, consisting of toiletries, underwear, blankets and toys for victims.
Although a revamp has taken place, there is more to be done and donations are always welcome.
“Toiletries are always welcome: soap, toothpaste, a face cloth, roll-on, sanitary products and bath towels for the comfort package,” Goodwin said.
Anyone who would like to get involved in any way can contact Goodwin on 082 879 8960.
