Programme description

Bloemshelter is a non-profit organisation (NPO) providing shelter to the homeless, catering for women, women with children, the elderly, men, and vulnerable persons. A long-term community-university partnership has been established in 2009. Over the years, students and academics from the following faculties were involved:

1. Faculty of Health Sciences service-learning modules, including:
   a.    Medical Health and Diseases in Populations;
   b.    Undergraduate and Postgraduate Practical Nursing Education;
   c.     Clinical Occupational Therapy; and
   d.    Clinical Physiotherapy.
   
2. Faculty of the Humanities service-learning modules, including:
   a.    Social Work and Political Governance.
   

Such engagement enables students to:

1. grow professionally by learning more about the profession through practical experience;
   
2. grow personally and develop their social responsiveness; and
3. contribute to the achievement of community development goals.

This partnership provides a reciprocal collaborative learning and engagement platform for diverse faculties at the UFS.

Programme content

Bloemshelter involves:

• community service-learning;
• participatory action learning action research projects;
• social enterprises; and
• an annual action-orientated engaged learning festival for the past seven years.
  

For more information, contact:
Bishop Billyboy Ramahlele
T: +27 51 401 2822
C: +27 82 401 3279
E: ramahpm@ufs.ac.za

Karen Venter
T: +27 51 401 3732
C: +27 83 310 3715
E: venterk1@ufs.ac.za

A long-term community-university partnership has been established in 2009.