Dated: 20th November 2007
It was a Greencoat Forum that I was waiting for since the last one I attended on 2nd October 2007 (http://aibz.blogspot.com/2007/10/special-evening-with-gill-hicks.html). The speaker was Dr. Lillian Cingo, manager of the 'miracle train' Phelophepa that delivers basic health care to the rural populace of South Africa. (Website: http://www.mhc.org.za/)
During the height of the Apartheid struggle, Lillian was forced to go into exile and came to London (
UK) where she worked as a specialist nurse in neurosurgery, a position she held for 30 years. She was twice nominated Nurse of the Year in London during the 1970’s. In 1975 she was presented to Queen Elizabeth as the best neuro-surgical nurse in London. Lillian is highly qualified with a wide record of experience in professional health care and has acquired skills in healing, counselling and building bridges between people. She returned to South Africa in 1994 and joined as manager of the Phelophepa. Lillian along with Lynette Coetzee, head of the health division of Transet, the company which launched the Phelophepa project in 1994, work together in managing it. Transet contributed 60% of the cost of running the miracle train. Lynette manages the Phelophepa train from the corporate headquarters in Johannesburg’s Carlton Centre while Lilian lives on board, ensuring the smooth running the all day-to-day operations.
UK) where she worked as a specialist nurse in neurosurgery, a position she held for 30 years. She was twice nominated Nurse of the Year in London during the 1970’s. In 1975 she was presented to Queen Elizabeth as the best neuro-surgical nurse in London. Lillian is highly qualified with a wide record of experience in professional health care and has acquired skills in healing, counselling and building bridges between people. She returned to South Africa in 1994 and joined as manager of the Phelophepa. Lillian along with Lynette Coetzee, head of the health division of Transet, the company which launched the Phelophepa project in 1994, work together in managing it. Transet contributed 60% of the cost of running the miracle train. Lynette manages the Phelophepa train from the corporate headquarters in Johannesburg’s Carlton Centre while Lilian lives on board, ensuring the smooth running the all day-to-day operations. Phelophepa means 'good clean health' - a service that has been brought to over 500,000 people since the train was launced. The 16 carriages have so far covered 60,000 miles in order to bring healthcare to areas without access to national health services. Lillian spends nine months annually on the train almost ever since it started and can say "WAKE UP" in as aman as 16 languages! :)
Her voice was calm as she spoke that evening. Hearing her story was inspiring and as she narrated her journey and expereince with Phelophepa, it became clear why Lillian was so successful in running the miracle train - her determination, sincerity and faith in God. During the question and answer session, I stood up and asked her about the difficulties she encountered and how she dealt with them. It was also an opportunty for me to tell her that I had written an email to her last year (7th August 2006) asking if I could volunteer in the Phelophepa. She smiled broadly and she immediately remembered my email while replying to my question. After the session, I went up to meet her and gave her a hug - she is an amazing person of calm - and she in turn gave me words of encouragement. I was extremely glad to have finally met Lillian and I hope one day I will get to meet her again, in South Africa.
More power to you Lillian.
No comments:
Post a Comment