PROGRAMS
Maitiso a Bagolo’s Active Ageing
Programme is a holistic, community-driven initiative designed to support,
uplift, and empower older persons in Meadowlands. With the elderly population
often facing neglect, isolation, and health challenges, this programme provides
a structured, nurturing space where senior citizens can thrive physically,
mentally, and socially.
Rooted in dignity and inclusion, the
Active Ageing Programme promotes health, social engagement, and purposeful
living. At its core, the programme fosters a sense of belonging, encourages
participation, and combats the loneliness and marginalization many older adults
face.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM
1. Physical Activity and Wellbeing: Daily physical activities are a cornerstone of the programme, tailored to the specific needs and capabilities of older adults. These include:
- Exercise Sessions:
Structured movement routines that improve flexibility, strength, and
overall health.
- Yoga Classes:
Gentle yoga supports mobility, stress relief, and mental clarity.
- Golden Sports Activities: Older persons participate in recreational sports and
competitions, often engaging with peers from other organizations,
fostering camaraderie and fun.
These regular physical activities
help maintain cardiovascular health, mobility, and mental wellbeing, while also
encouraging consistent social interaction.
2. Health and Wellness Support: Recognizing the complex health needs of the elderly, the programme offers continuous support through:
- Adherence Monitoring:
Ensuring consistent access to and intake of medication.
- Health Screening:
Routine check-ups and health education are provided in partnership with
local clinics and health organizations.
- Spa and Beauty Days:
Events like the annual Health and Beauty Spa Day offer a
therapeutic and self-esteem boost, blending wellness with pampering.
3. Nutrition and Food Security: Nutrition plays a vital role in the wellbeing of older persons. Maitiso a Bagolo provides hot, nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch which are served every day at the centre.
4. Income Generation and Purposeful
Engagement: To promote independence and
dignity, the programme incorporates activities that generate income and restore
a sense of purpose:
- a) Sewing Project:
Older women annually sew chair bags for school learners, blending
creativity with community service. This initiative links the elderly with
educational institutions while providing an avenue for skill utilization
and supplemental income.
5. Creative and Recreational Expression: Social and creative engagement are vital for emotional health. The programme offers:
- Arts and Crafts Workshops: Participants create various handmade items, providing
an outlet for creativity and self-expression.
- Choir Practice and Music Competitions: Singing fosters joy, community spirit, and pride.
- Monthly Debriefing Outings: Regular trips allow seniors to unwind, share
experiences, and enjoy new environments.
6. Annual Celebratory Calendar: Maitiso a Bagolo ensures its elderly members feel celebrated and connected to cultural and social traditions. The annual calendar includes:
- a) Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day Events
- b) Birthday Celebrations
- c) Heritage Day and International Older Person’s Day
- d) Women’s Day Activities
These events foster a strong sense
of community and recognition, making each individual feel valued and seen.
Mobility and Access: Thanks to funding from the Department of Social Development, the programme operates a minibus that transports older persons to and from activities. This is a critical service that enables participation, particularly for those with limited mobility or safety concerns when traveling alone.
A Model for Community-Based Elderly Care: Maitiso a Bagolo’s Active Ageing Programme is more than just a set of activities—it’s a lifeline, a support system, and a family for many older persons in the Meadowlands community. By promoting health, creativity, social connection, and a continued sense of purpose, the programme redefines what it means to age with dignity.
It’s an exemplary model for active
ageing, proving that with the right support, older persons can continue to
contribute meaningfully to society, live healthier lives, and remain connected
and valued within their communities.
MAITISO A BAGOLO OVC PROGRAM: NURTURING THE FUTURE, PROTECTING THE
PRESENT
Maitiso a Bagolo’s Active Ageing
Programme is a holistic, community-driven initiative designed to support,
uplift, and empower older persons in Meadowlands. With the elderly population
often facing neglect, isolation, and health challenges, this programme provides
a structured, nurturing space where senior citizens can thrive physically,
mentally, and socially.
Rooted in dignity and inclusion, the
Active Ageing Programme promotes health, social engagement, and purposeful
living. At its core, the programme fosters a sense of belonging, encourages
participation, and combats the loneliness and marginalization many older adults
face.
CORE AREAS OF IMPACT
1. Psycho-Social Support and Mentorship: Maitiso a Bagolo prioritizes the emotional and psychological wellbeing of children. Through structured and informal support systems, children are helped to process trauma, build confidence, and navigate daily life challenges.
·
Support Groups: Children participate
in regular group sessions, including the Children on Art (antiretroviral
treatment) support group, which is a support group designed to offer
assistance and peer to peer learning for children living with HIV.
·
Home Visits: Outreach workers
visit households to assess living conditions and provide support where children
are at risk.
·
Mentorship: Trained staff and
community mentors provide ongoing guidance and emotional support, creating a
safe space for expression and personal growth.
2. Educational and After-School Support: Education is a pathway out of poverty. Maitiso a Bagolo ensures that no child is left behind in the classroom.
·
Homework Assistance:
After-school programs provide children with a safe space to receive help with
their studies and homework.
·
School Holiday Programmes: During
school holidays, the organization runs structured programs with life skills
activities, educational games, career days and social outings to keep children
engaged and learning.
·
Access to Internet and Research Tools:
Digital Access: Beneficiaries use the Choma Café’s free
internet services to complete assignments, explore careers, and apply for
bursaries or university placements.
3. Health and Safety: Children’s physical health is closely monitored, with consistent access to health and hygiene support.
·
Health Screenings: Regular
check-ups identify and address health concerns early.
·
HIV/AIDS Support Groups:
Tailored sessions provide information, emotional support, and a stigma-free
environment for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
·
Social Behavioural Change Programs:
These workshops promote responsible behaviour, healthy relationships, and
personal safety among young people. We conduct monthly awareness campaigns to
educate the community on various topics that promote healthy and sustainable
living.
4. Nutritional Support: No child can learn or grow effectively without proper nutrition. Maitiso a Bagolo addresses food insecurity head-on.
·
Food Parcels: Monthly
distributions ensure families have essential staples.
·
Daily Meals: In conjunction
with the older persons’ nutrition programme, children attending the centre for
the after-school program also benefit from nutritious meals.
·
Food Garden Programme:
Caregivers of our beneficiaries as well as volunteers from the community participate
and assist our poverty alleviator in growing vegetables, learning valuable
agricultural skills while contributing to their own food supply.
5. Grant and Welfare Access: Maitiso a Bagolo assists families and caregivers in navigating the often-complex social welfare system.
·
Foster Care Grant Applications:
The organization helps guardians apply for social grants, ensuring children
receive the financial support they’re entitled to.
·
Referrals and Advocacy: In
partnership with the Department of Social Development, families are connected
with critical services, including legal aid, health care, and housing
assistance.
Creating a Circle of Protection and Possibility
Maitiso a Bagolo’s OVC Program does more than meet basic needs—it offers a
roadmap for transformation. By combining psychosocial support, education,
nutrition, and advocacy, the program builds a protective circle around
vulnerable children, empowering them to thrive despite adversity.
It also strengthens the entire community. Children are connected with mentors, caregivers are trained and supported, and the broader neighbourhood benefits from the organization’s advocacy, outreach, and presence. Maitiso’s model reflects a simple but powerful truth: when children are supported, whole communities grow stronger.
With deep local roots and strong partnerships, the OVC Programme stands as a beacon of hope for vulnerable children in Meadowlands—and a model for child-centered community care across the country.
PHVP PROGRAM: Empowering Communities. Protecting Futures.
The PHVP Programme run in collaboration with HIVSA, and
supported by USAID—is a targeted, community-based initiative aimed at
preventing and reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS among the most at-risk populations
in Meadowlands. This includes Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Adolescents and
Youth (OVCA&Y), especially adolescent girls and young women who are
statistically more vulnerable to HIV infection due to socioeconomic and
gender-based challenges.
This programme is more than an HIV prevention effort—it’s a comprehensive system of care, empowerment, and resilience-building that integrates health services, psychosocial support, education, economic strengthening, and family empowerment to help vulnerable individuals and households thrive.
CORE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
1. Health Access, Screening, and Adherence Support: PHVP provides regular health screenings for HIV, TB, STIs, and other common conditions. It also offers essential referrals to partner clinics and hospitals for further care. Importantly, the programme supports treatment adherence for people living with HIV, helping them remain consistent with their antiretroviral therapy (ART). Health education workshops and outreach efforts work to dispel myths about HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma, and encourage voluntary testing in the community. These services are essential in a context where misinformation and fear still prevent many from seeking help.
2. DREAMS Choma Café and Adolescent Empowerment: A standout feature of Maitiso’s PHVP initiative is its partnership with the Charlize
Theron Africa Outreach Project under the DREAMS banner (Determined,
Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe). This programme is
tailored to protect adolescent girls and young women aged 10–18.
·
At the Choma Café on-site, girls have
free access to the internet for school research, university applications, and
accessing online health information.
·
Group sessions with trained mentors address
topics like sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, career
planning, and self-esteem.
·
Caregivers also attend “Let’s Talk”
sessions to improve parent-child communication and strengthen support networks
at home.
3. Psychosocial and Behavioural Support: The programme provides structured psycho-social support through mentorship,
peer support groups, and behavioural change sessions. Topics include consent,
body autonomy, substance abuse prevention, and safe relationships.
Maitiso also conducts door-to-door campaigns to identify children and
families in need of support, reinforcing its commitment to reaching those who
may otherwise be left out of formal systems.
4. Education and Economic Support: In line with HIVSA’s community-strengthening goals, Maitiso assists children and caregivers in accessing education, foster care grants, and documentation services. Educational support includes homework assistance, school holiday programmes, and life skills development. To improve household stability, participants are trained in income generation and financial literacy, linking HIV prevention to long-term economic resilience.
5. Integrated Referrals and Case Management: Using a case management model, Maitiso tracks each beneficiary’s progress and
links them to relevant social and health services. This wraparound approach
ensures that HIV prevention is not isolated but connected to housing,
nutrition, mental health, and safety services.
Lasting Impact
The PHVP Programme at Maitiso a Bagolo stands out as a model of holistic
HIV prevention that meets people where they are—physically, emotionally,
and socially. It breaks down stigma, opens doors to care, and transforms lives
through knowledge, support, and opportunity.
By combining the reach of national strategy with the power of local insight, Maitiso is creating a safer, healthier future for Meadowlands’ most vulnerable—and equipping the next generation with tools to thrive beyond survival.
TESTIMONIALS
Thank you Maitiso for assisting me with homework and the new school shoes. I am top of my class last term
Thank you to Maitiso for their support and assistance to me and my grandson. They are able to offer support where I can't, and the monthly food parcel are a huge load off my shoulders. I sincerely pray that they grow in strength and are resourced well enough to reach beyond the Meadowlands community.
I've been part of the active ageing program for about six years now and it has helped me with keeping active and busy. Thank you for the great services you provide to us Maitiso.