BY JOANIE SOLOMOU

USA4RSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit which assists and empowers individuals with disabilities in South Africa.

Their Community Mental Health & Psychiatry facilities provide 24/7 healthcare and housing for over 300 zero-income, long-term mentally and physically disabled children, adult, and elderly people of Western Cape, South Africa.

These adults and children cannot be integrated into their communities due to the severity of their mental and physical challenges, such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Mood Disorder, Severe Epilepsy, Brain Injuries, and Down Syndrome to name but a few.

Since 1991, Roy Harris (Chief Executive Officer) and his wife Tilla, have overseen the creation of seven mental health facilities in South Africa, facilities which provide full-time residential and medical care to these individuals.

The USA4RSA Foundation was founded to address the growing need for funding due to declining government support for long-term psychiatric patients, preventing a repeat of the Esidimeni tragedy.

There are currently over 120 dedicated healthcare personnel and administrators employed across their frail care, clinic, and satellite-care facilities.

USA4RSA Foundation’s affiliate non-profit, Community Diners, prepares over 1,200 meals daily, and their Community Mental Health Academy trains 30-40 mental health caregivers annually. There are currently over 200 anxious families and hospital social workers waiting to admit new applicants who require housing and care.

USA4RSA Foundation is seeking to gain the support of the USA, and to develop and strengthen relations between the USA and South Africa.

To learn more about or partner with this non-profit foundation, visit www.usa4rsa.org.

Current projects listed on their website include acquiring two vital signs monitors to monitor the health of residents, acquiring and installing solar panels for renewable energy, and purchasing beds to accommodate the growing waitlist of prospective frail care patients.

To donate, visit www.usa4rsa.org.