DENIS HURLEY CENTRE
The Denis Hurley Centre is a multipurpose community centre situated in the heart of the city of Durban, South Africa. Positioned next to the Emmanuel Cathedral, the centre cares for the poor of Durban. It provides medical and social care to these communities and endeavors such as the Refugee Pastoral Care project – offering legal and support services to refugees. The Nkosinathi Homeless Care project provides meals, hospitality and social support services, and there is a job creation project and a drug rehabilitation programme in collaboration with the Municipality. All services are provided free to the public.
USIZO LWETHU MEDICAL CLINIC
The Usizo Lwethu medical clinic, meaning “Our Help” in the local language, isiZulu, was established to help care for the marginalised people of Durban. It is set within the Denis Hurley Centre and offers free medical care without judgement or restrictions. The area is heavily populated with political and economic refugees from other African countries, as well as many homeless and deprived South Africans. Most of these people suffer from poor physical or mental health, and many have substance misuse problems. With the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the clinic initially set about offering Voluntary Counselling and Testing services, (uniquely offering counselling in widely spoken East and Central African languages), but has widened into primary health care. Additionally, its staff regularly work in the local communities and provide healthcare in outreach clinics.
TWOWEEKS became involved with Usizo Lwethu clinic in 2014, after collaborating for many years previously with leading staff members on other projects. Medical volunteers have cared for patients in the clinic. The medical clinics see an average of 100 patients a day, many with complex needs including patients with addiction problems.
