From our newsletter of Easter 1998

The new nurse at Blessed Gerard's Care Centre

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Sr Sanet van Zyl [pronounced: Sannètt fann Säil]. We would also like to welcome her very warmly to our team at Blessed Gerard's Care Centre. Sr. Sanet has recently moved with her family from Gauteng [pronounced: Chautèng] to kwaZulu/Natal. She is very well qualified and we are sure that she will prove to be a wonderful asset to all the people we serve.

Sr Sanet van Zyl writes......

Blessed Gerard's Care Centre has taken a big step in employing me. I am a South African Registered Nurse, started my general nursing training in 1980 and completed it in Pretoria in 1983. Other training I have done is midwifery, pharmacology, administration, AIDS counselling, home nursing, occupational health and safety and advanced nursing dynamics.

I am married and have two wonderful children, a fourteen year old son and a four year old daughter. My husband and I have decided to move away from Gauteng. to have a more peaceful life away from the "rat race". I am very happy and fortunate that just at the time I decided to move to kwaZulu/Natal, this position at Blessed Gérard's Care Centre became available.

My goal in life is to help people in need and teach them to be positive, love one another and rejoice in life which is the greatest gift from God. I hope and pray that I will be the achievement that the Care and Social Centre is looking for.

With kind regards

A caregiver is employed

Mrs. Estelle Denner, a local housewife. joined the volunteers of Blessed Gérard's Care Centre at the official opening of the centre in September 1996.

Mrs Denner says, "When I heard about the Care and Welfare Centre, I was really excited because I always wanted to be a nurse. So this was a perfect opportunity for me to fulfil that wish. I get great pleasure from helping the sick and the biggest thanks I can receive is the smile on their face.

I really enjoy working at the Nursing and Social Centre and I would recommend that all the men and women who sit at home complaining that there is nothing going on in Mandeni join our happy family, come and help us."

The Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard employed Ms Estelle Denner on a temporary basis for three months in September 1997. However, she proved to be such a valuable caregiver that we asked her to stay on for another three months. She then joined our staff on a permanent basis in March at our request. We would also like to welcome her to our team and compliment her on her sensitivity to people's needs and thank her for her loyalty and hard work.


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