​A sticker on your forehead, jumping on one leg or given a chance to marvel at your disposable gloves – everything has been put in place to make a unique health outreach to vulnerable children go smoothly.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness thanks the students from Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences who do their practical experience in the Cape Wineland area, and other partners who visited Steinthal Child and Youth Care Centre on 12 August near Tulbagh. With the help of mentors, lots of 'high fives' and giving out of cool stickers, around 35 children's health was evaluated. The majority of children were between 2 and 6 years of age. The purpose of the outreach was to determine if there are children who need further support when it comes to motor development, nutrition, hearing, speech, sight, and more.

Final-year medical student Thembani Maswanganye was at the station where children's wellbeing was generally checked, and when he got a chance, he also helped out at the station where speech evaluation was done. He says that although the visit is part of his academic activities, he really enjoyed doing something that he knows makes a difference in a vulnerable community.

"Being part of this outreach touched me deeply," says Carla Scholtz, a fourth-year Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy student. "For me it highlighted the great need for services in certain communities. Being able to do the hearing screening and speech evaluations gave me the chance to see firsthand how important early identification is in improving the child's communication outcomes. I am more determined than ever to bridge the gaps in care and services and to fight for people who might not otherwise be heard."

Steinthal Child and Youth Care Centre's management had previously inquired about health services at the university's Rural Health Division (Ukwanda), as they have health sciences students placed in Worcester and Ceres. Role players met and made arrangements for a special outreach.

“We are working closely with staff at Ukwanda to give students completing their studies in health care and related fields the opportunity to gain experience at clinics, hospitals, and more. Although Steinthal's children are supported just like other people in the community at Tulbagh Clinic, we gladly took the chance to see how we can provide further support," says Madelein Bester who is part of the department team that supported the outreach. "Many thanks to the students of Ukwanda, which included students from the medical, occupational therapy, speech-language and hearing therapy, and dietetics programmes," says Bester.

"The outreach was a unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from the Western Cape Department of Health and Welfare and other community partners with whom we have long-standing relationships," said Elria Joubert of Ukwanda. "We were overwhelmed by their willingness to make their time and resources available at short notice and to remain involved with Steinthal Child and Youth Care Centre in the longer term. Furthermore, it not only created an opportunity to achieve students' learning outcomes in a practical way, but also to touch their hearts. It was an experience that we and our students will always remember."

The local health team, including the team providing services in the community, will follow up with the children as identified by the outreach team. In some cases the children need dental services, and in other cases speech and audiology services. The nurse who looks after school health will continue to reach out to Steinthal every quarter, with a focus on the challenges that have emerged, and liaison with other experts as necessary. Where possible, Steinthal's staff will also be empowered to prevent outbreaks of disease.

"Our deep appreciation to Mr Geweldt, Elria Joubert, Jana Müller, Dr Titus and staff for making the day possible," said Ms Charmaine Prince, the manager of Steinthal, on behalf of the organisation. "It is only through your kindness and dedication that the 35 children received this care and attention."

Photo Captions:

Carla Scholtz at the station where hearing evaluation was done at the outreach to Steinthal Child and Youth Care Centre.

Final-year medical student Thembani Maswanganye during an outreach to Steinthal Child and Youth Care Centre.