Wits University students to volunteer services in the inner city
Media Release: No embargo
1 October 2007
Wits University students to volunteer services in the inner City
Wits University Students and Region F will offer health and cleaning services to benefit the community of Joubert Park on Saturday, 6 October 2007 from 8:30 to 12:00.
In conjunction with the Health Services servicing Region F the students will render the following services:
Dental health care;
immunization of 0 to 5 years old children;
Advice on legal issues;
Small Business Advice;
Cleaning of the area done in conjunction with Pikitup;
Forced migration advice; and
Reproductive Health Research Unit (RHRU) will disseminate information on the Wellness Centre at the Hillbrow Health Precinct.
“The intention of this exercise is to engage students to develop a sense of social responsibility in the university’s community; to connect the university with the broader community through service and in so doing share their skills to make a positive difference”, and expose them to the community which they be working with after completion of their studies”, said the Community University Partnerships (CUPS) Programme Coordinator, Thabo Putu.
“We hope that the community can take advantage of this opportunity and utilize the offered services”, continued Mr Putu.
Dr Moolla of the university stated that, “this is one of the first of a number of initiatives initiated by Wits University to show its commitment to the Mayor’s Inner City Rejuvenation Charter”.
"Wits is a natural stakeholder in improving conditions in inner-city Jo'burg, and we hope exercises such as this will lead to much more regular occassions on which the City can come together with Wits volunteers to improve the physical environment and quality of life not only in the streets and neighbourhoods near the Wits campus, but all across the City." Said Jak Koseff, Policy and Strategy Specialist: Community Development, City of Johannesburg.
The focus on provision of health services during this campaign of 6 October in is line with the premise on the adopted Johannesburg Inner City Charter which states as follows with regard to access to health facilities and health care “The City Of Johannesburg wishes to ensure that all residents have improved access to health facilities and outreach programmes. The University of Witwatersrand endorse the above statement and together with the City of Johannesburg will continue to support and promote health-service excellence and innovation through its area-focused development initiatives in the Hillbrow Health Precinct.
Issued on behalf of
The Regional Director
Region F
And The University of Witwatersrand
By 1. Zaabe Magwaza
Officer: Stakeholder Management and Liaison
Region F
Tel. (011) 37608697
2. Thabo Putu
Programmes Coordinator
Community University Partnerships
University of the Witwatersrand
Tel. (011 717-9732/38
For further information contact
Shaun O’Shea
Manager: Stakeholder Management and Liaison
Tel. (011) 376-8697
And Nancy Law
CUPS Administrator
University of the Witwatersrand
Tel. (011) 717-9735