The Vikela Amabele Am’ Campaign is aimed at breast cancer control through promoting body autonomy among women and by empowering them to make informed breast healthcare choices. Effective breast cancer control in South Africa is hampered by women presenting very late for treatment due to a convergence of socio-cultural, economic and educational impediments. The rising tide of advanced breast cancer among poor women cannot be effectively curtailed without addressing the matrix of factors that mitigate against timely access to adequate and reliable breast healthcare treatment among this largely uneducated low socio-economic class of women.
The Circle of Love Initiative is the socio-economic leg of the Vikela Campaign aimed providing food resources for women with breast cancer. Many poor mothers choose to spend their limited household income on food for their children which results in them defaulting from treatment or being lost to follow-up. No mother should have to make this dire choice. Join our “Circle of Love Initiative” and assist a woman with breast cancer with monthly donations of food stuffs, toiletries, (see items list for guidance). Ps. You can form a “Circle” with your friends, families or co-workers
Spotlight on Lindy Gould
“Try a little kindness you ‘ll see
It’s something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving…” Lyrics – Reach Out & Touch Somebody’s Hand
How does a man induce a woman he does not know to give money to another woman he does not know? Voila facebook and you have an incredible story of the tenderness of the human spirit, the power generosity, care for those less fortunate and two individuals’ deep love and commitment to making ours a better world.
I placed an online advert asking for help to upgrade BreastSens’ old website. Bob Corman, an alumnus from my alma mater – Wesleyan University, Connecticut, USA – responded immediately, informing me that he had asked a South African friend to assist. Next I got a call from a Lindy Gould who had checked my bona fides and generously offered to pay for the upgrade project.
What I didn’t know when I met Lindy is that she and Bob were “just” social media friends. The two have never met but they belong to an international community of face-bookers who love to laugh and tease. I am privileged to belong to this “Circle of Love” whose warmth extends beyond the confines of our techno world and national boundaries.
We dedicate our inaugural installment of the “Circle of Love” to Lindy whose generosity allows us to carry out our breast cancer advocacy and promotion of women’s rights to universal and accessible breast healthcare. We could all take a leaf from Lindy’s book. A little kindness comes very naturally and we can change things if we start giving of ourselves – volunteering and donating to worthy causes.
The “Circle of Love” column will feature a story of a Soweto woman living with breast cancer. They will be stories of courage and resilience under fire as well as testimonials of why we need more Goulden people to further our mission!
Please open your heart and help with donations of food hampers, toiletries, gowns and sleepers to help keep a mother in treatment and save a life.
Lindy, you are a mensch! Siyabonga.
