Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) students and staff got behind Mandela Day 2019, working with the KwaDabeka Community Health Centre and Durban street artist Mook Lion to make the family planning waiting area at the clinic a little more child friendly.
AHRI staff and students also donated books, games and puzzles along with ‘child size’ chairs for the waiting area.
AHRI has been working closely with the KwaDabeka Community Health Centre for the past five years.
“Mandela Day is about giving back to the community. KwaDabeka is an important study enrolment site for AHRI, so we wanted to give back to the clinic and community as they continue to support the research that we do,” said AHRI Head of Public Engagement, Nomathamsanqa Majozi. “Today was about ensuring that whenever these children come to the clinic, they have a positive and creative space to be in.”
Above: AHRI Head of Public Engagement, Nomathamsanqa Majozi, with some of the toys, books and games donated to the clinic.
Above: Community Centre Public Relations Officer Mrs Zimhlophe Jali addresses patients, centre management and AHRI staff at the event.
Above: AHRI staff and students start the mural.
Above: From immunology to art! AHRI Faculty Members Dr Al Leslie and Dr Mohlopheni Marakalala get involved.
In the upcoming weeks the institute will also embark on a community garden project in partnership with Mpukunyoni Clinic, which is close to AHRI’s northern KwaZulu-Natal research campus in Somkhele and falls within the institute’s health and demographic surveillance system site.
Above: Artist Mook Lion completed the mural with a depiction of the Aloe ferox (inhlaba) plant – which is used in traditional medicine as a cosmetic, laxative and in the management of arthritis.