​The Desmond and Leah Foundation works in close cooperation with the City of Cape Town to identify community outreach projects. In Subcouncil 1 (Blaauwberg), the foundation sponsors a school feeding scheme at Marconi Beam Primary School amongst other initiatives.

Tutu Teen Truck

Cllr Joy McCarthy (Ward 4) reports that the foundation’s Tutu Teen Truck from the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation based in Observatory will be conducting regular visits to the area to provide education, testing and counselling support for HIV and other ailments.

The Tutu Teen Truck initiative is run with assistance from young UCT volunteers who staff the facility. The staff complement includes two health counsellors, a registered nurse, and a health educator. The clinic's target group is young members of the community aged between 12 and 24 years old. Visitors can receive HIV, TB and STI testing, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and glucose checks as well as family planning advice. Contraceptives are also dispensed including by implant, injection or in tablet form. all services are provided free of charge.

Mobile clinic service launching in February

The community can access the Tutu Teen Truck’s services from February 2016 from 11:00 until 17:00 every second or third Tuesday of each month (dates to be finalised shortly). The facility will operate from the Community Centre sports ground located next to Marconi Beam Primary School in Democracy Street, Joe Slovo.

“This service will be a marvellous advantage to the community. Many residents are unable to travel long distances to healthcare facilities so this will afford them the opportunity to access essential health testing services which is especially important to our youth at risk in this age group,” said Cllr McCarthy.

For further information, call 021 650 1965 or visit the Facebook page.