Every month, Life Emergency Medical Services (Life EMS) actively engages with communities to make a difference. Their most recent mission led them to Ratang Thuto Secondary School in the Boichoko location of Postmasburg, a community deeply affected by substance abuse. In collaboration with the Northern Cape Exploration (NCE) team, their mission was to engage with the Grade 8 students and shed light on the pressing issue of substance abuse.
The topic sparked strong interest among the learners, as many of them knew of individuals who were struggling with substance abuse - whether they were fellow students, family members, friends, or community members. In a thought-provoking and interactive discussion, the team and the Grade 8 learners delved into the detrimental effects of substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, mandrax, cannabis (dagga), and methamphetamine (Tik). They openly shared their own experiences and heartwarming stories, but most importantly, they explored positive and practical strategies for these young adults to steer clear from substance abuse altogether. To keep the energy high, a lively Q&A session was incorporated, and the learners were rewarded with small tokens of appreciation for their enthusiastic participation.
The principal and the teachers appreciated the team's efforts in addressing the issue of substance abuse in the Boichoko community. As a result, the team has been invited back to Ratang Thuto to address the other grades on the same topic.
For the Life EMS team, supporting communities in the Northern Cape goes beyond their contractual obligations to clients. For them, it is their passion. To Zach Bokaba (Emergency Care Technician), Lesego Phiri (Occupational Health Nurse), Lebogang Mongale (Intermediate Life Support Medic), and Vincent Vilakazi (Basic Life Support Medic), your dedication to this work is admirable; and thank you for making a significant difference to your communities every day.
