Save women from breast cancer in South Africa

On 16 January 2024 HTT started with a six month study to investigate the effects of Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) on a group of 10 HIV positive SWs from Malemeng Village in Maruleng sub-district, Limpopo, South Africa and how it may improve mental and physical wellbeing, ART adherence and reduce risk taking behaviour.  TRE® is a series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension, and trauma. The exercises activate a natural reflex mechanism of shaking that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system encouraging the body to return to a state of balance.  Of the 10 SWs we started with, 3 had to be replaced as they found permanent work and were no longer able to attend the sessions.  

Initially HTT staff travelled to Tlebi Tavern in Malemeng Village to offer bi-weekly sessions but in early March 2024 it was decided to move the sessions to the more conducive environment at  our Blyde Clinic. Sessions were facilitated by certified TRE® providers. Feedback from participants about their physical and emotional state is recorded before and after each session. A more comprehensive wellbeing questionnaire including a range of questions on physical, emotional, intellectual and social wellbeing was used at the beginning to establish a baseline. The same questionnaire will be used after 3 months (early April) to gauge progress.

After the first session, participants felt unburdened, energized, sleepy, pain and stress free, happy, and relaxed. After 8 sessions; engaging more easily with others, improved sleep, less anger, improved relationships, decreased intake of alcohol, self-acceptance.  Preliminary results show that 2 of the Sex worker who were suicidal at the beginning of the sessions have greatly improved, now after 3 months indicating that they no longer have suicidal thoughts.

Once mastered, TRE® becomes a self-help tool. Improved wellbeing, physical and emotional resilience, improved health care seeking behaviour and improved ART adherence because of regular TRE will benefit HIV positive SWs, their families, and clients. Complete results of the 3-month study will be shared in the next report.

Family health day

In this reporting period 5 family health days were conducted, total number of 55 mothers and 56 children attended. Information on GOBIFFF was shared, which is growth oral rehydration, breast feeding, immunization, feeding of the child, family planning, and first aid. Prevention of Mother to child transmission was discussed at length in one of the family heath days at Finale village, most mothers did not have information. Social worker educated them on children’s rights and emphasis was shelter, health care and social services.

Professional nurses and enrolled nurse ensured that babies were weighed, road to health card were assessed if immunisation is up to date. They were also educated that they should protect their children against neglect and abuse. 15 mothers were briefly screened for mental health since they had mental health issues. The family health day was incorporated with cervical cancer awareness, mothers were given information on cervical cancer and Pap smear and some received cervical cancer screening. 45 baby packs were distributed for the children who attended.

Tekkies 4 Tieties

On 28 October 2023, Hlokomela held the annual Tekkies for Tieties event at the Bosveld Centre, here in Hoedspruit.

This was the second Tekkies for Tieties event held and turned out to be a great success. The theme of this event is not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness about breast cancer, and cancer in general.

Think pink! Teams, families, and individuals dressed up in fun and creative pink outfits. Some people brought their dogs along and they also were dressed up for the occasion.

The day started with a fun walk through the reserve and people had so much fun walking for a purpose.

The Hlokomela team had the mobile clinic set up and people were able to have their vital signs taken while getting information about breast cancer from our friendly nursing staff.

Raffle tickets were sold this year and some amazing prizes were won!

We would like to thank our local and international support for making this event such a great success.

All the proceeds from this event will be directed towards assisting women who cannot afford mammograms and travel expenses to and from hospitals.

Referral pathway for women with abnormal Pap Smears

As previously reported, the Tintswalo Women’s Clinic has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 6 months. Patients with abnormal pap smears can get treatment much sooner than before. We are grateful to the Tshemba Foundation for working so hard to make this possible. There is still a very long road ahead to get to where the referral and treatment systems should be, but we are optimistic.