Nursing students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal bring joy to the lives of psychiatric outpatients at the Starwood Clinic in Phoenix. The project saw the students teach enthusiastic outpatients the craft of creating jewellery using plastic beads. It was part of the practical requirements for completion of their degrees. The outpatients met once a week at the clinic and the workshops lasted for about half a day. There was no institutional funding for the project so students embarked on fundraising programmes, including the sale of samoosas and cupcakes at the clinic. Upon completion this week, participants were presented with a certificate and a piece of jewellery, personalised with their names.
Charlotte Engelbrecht, a lecturer at the Department of Nursing at UKZN said students were expected to complete a community outreach programme as part of their fourth year curriculum. Engelbrect was the students’ supervisor. “These students identified the Starwood Psychiatric Clinic as a beneficiary . They chose beadwork as it was a way to keep those undergoing treatment at the clinic gainfully occupied. Working with beads requires them to be focused and precise and makes for excellent therapy. Working with the bright colours also stimulated them. We hope they will continue with the beadwork on their own, once the project is finished,” she said. Ronika Ganess, a nursing sister at the clinic, who is also responsible for student liaison, said the project was very beneficial. “This project is important for creating mental health awareness. We are always seeking ways to help remove the stigma attached to mental illness in our communities. Most importantly, the participants themselves have been greatly enriched by the experience. Their self-esteem has been boosted,” she said. Ganess said the outpatients could earn extra income by selling the products they created. The three students, Poovasha Naicker, Wendy Voigt and Stephanie Joubert “thoroughly enjoyed” the project. Joubert said the project was a “good” learning experience. “I really enjoyed it. The participants were very excited and positive. They felt valued by participating. Personally I did not expect it to be so rewarding but it turned out to be wonderful,” she said.
One of the participants, Amrish Ramkisson said the project had “changed” his life. He said he was a very negative person who mostly stayed at home. The project brought colour into his life, he said. Bubbly and vibrant Shamla Chetty, a former school teacher, said she was initially “afraid”. “I have a problem with my hands shaking when I am nervous. I was worried at first because I had completed very few keyrings. Then I committed myself to improve and steadily gained more confidence,” she said. –Keeran Sewsunker/Newsroom Media
