Unsung hero taken by Covid

GEORGE NEWS - The board and staff of Ithemba Lobomi are mourning the loss of their passionate leader, Sharon Hendricks.

The NGO was founded in 2007 within the community of Thembalethu to tackle the high rate of HIV, Aids and TB and to alleviate the burden the disease left on the families.

Board member Brett Utian says Hendricks moved from Cape Town to join the leadership team as CEO in February 2016, faithfully serving the Thembalethu community and the board in this capacity until her passing in January 2021.

"Anyone with experience within a non-profit organisation will understand the many hurdles and multiple challenges faced when working in this particular sector. It is not an easy job – especially given Ithemba Lobomi's scope of reach to approximately 30 000 beneficiaries with a staff component of over 100."

He says resilience and courage are required on a daily basis, especially when Covid-19 hit. Utian says Hendricks' heart for those less fortunate coupled with her determination to ensure fulfillment of both her own and the organisation's missions meant that she always went the extra mile.

They will cherish fond memories of Hendricks, such as hearing via the grapevine that on her last birthday, she and her family threw a party for the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children beneficiaries.

He says Hendricks always wanted to do her best for her staff and the community of Thembalethu and the greater George area.

"During the initial Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, she partnered with other organisations to provide food parcels for community members. She will be greatly missed by the board, staff, and the community. Condolences go out to her family."

Ithemba Lobomi was officially registered to offer home and community-based care (HCBC) in Thembalethu. Realising the need for additional service provision, projects were extended to include the Community Family Support programme.

Sharon Hendricks