Hoedspruit Training Trust, now formally Hlokomela is based in Limpopo, South Africa. Limpopo is one of the worst areas in South Africa for poverty, whilst lacking basic facilities in the local villages such as running water. Hlokomela is an established non-profit clinic committed to serving farm workers and their families. Our goal is to provide a cost-effective and sustainable way to screen for and treat breast cancer, preventing hundreds of deaths each year.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The majority of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The average 5-year survival rate for breast cancer in South Africa is 53%, compared to 89% in the United States. Limited knowledge around breast cancer, long travel times, and unaffordable or unavailable tools for detection and treatment mean that women in this part of South Africa are often not diagnosed with breast cancer until it is too late to treat.
Our breast cancer prevention programme will include training for local health workers in the use of ultrasound for breast cancer screening as well as on-site treatment for early-stage cancers. We also aim to teach the community about cancer symptoms and how to conduct a potentially life-saving breast self-exam.
Without us, the local communities would travel miles to the nearest facility, we provide something closer to home for the migrant workers and many levels above in quality. Through nationwide budget cuts the government facilities are poorly staffed, they suffer through lack of training and equipment, substantial waiting times, and the lack of aftercare can devastate the surrounding communities. Hlokomela is committed to fight for these people's lives and with your help we can do much more.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser