The Moitsheki Health and Life Skills Development Centre

Since 2005 the parish of Kidlington with Hampton Poyle has been holding discussions with its link parish, All Saints’ Montshiwa, in Kimberley and Kuruman, about how they might help to improve the conditions in the South African community with regard to health, and in particular in respect of HIV and AIDS. These discussions have now come to fruition with the surprise launch of the “Moitsheki HIV and AIDS Skills Development Initiative” during a visit from a group of parishioners from Kidlington with Hampton Poyle in August 2010. A steering committee had been formed and all aspects of providing community help considered. A building was now available for use as a centre and Kathryn Ellis had the privilege and honour of opening the “Moitsheki Centre” bearing her name in Setswana!

Visiting the centre the group from Kidlington were very encouraged to find attractive articles made in the sewing and beading workshops, a new library and after-school workroom, and a counselling room. Plans are in place for planting more vegetables in the garden to replace the previous crops destroyed by the extreme cold weather. This food is distributed particularly to those who need to take ARV medication, to improve its effectiveness.

The visitors brought materials with them to encourage craft work and new creative ideas.