Wellness Day at Bellhaven Centre: Empowering vulnerable women in Durban

By: Mendy Mtshali

The Bellhaven Harm and Reduction Centre in Durban treated 60 women to a wellness day where the focus was on women's health and wellbeing. 

This event was an opportunity for vulnerable women, some living on the streets and others with substance abuse issues, to get pampered. 

The women were treated to haircuts, warm showers as well as breast screenings. They were also given wellness parks and nutritious meals.

Bellhave staffer, Londeka Mgwaba, said the aim of the event was to give the women a chance to access their services. 

"We work with mainly homeless women and those on drugs. This was an opportunity for them to be pampered and feel special," she said. 

Women at the event were also treated to massages from somatology students from the Durban University of Technology. 

Student, KP Sithole, said they were thrilled to be part of the project. 

"We are here to massage people and help ease their pain," Sithole said.

Nomusa Mkhize, 37, one of the women at the event, said being at the centre was comforting and a "chance to forget about everything else."

"I am here to mingle with other women and get a chance to celebrate being a woman, something we don't get to do most of the time because we are struggling financially and hardly make ends meet," she said. 

Mkhize said at the Bellhave centre, they are also encouraged to live a better life and quit drugs. 

Despite all odds Nomusa Mkhize believes that eventually her life will get better.

IOL