For over 35 years, Operation Jumpstart Association (OJA) has supported civil society organisations working to address critical social challenges across KwaZulu-Natal.
One such organisation is Shepherd’s Keep, located on the Bluff in Durban, a sanctuary for abandoned, orphaned, and at-risk babies.
World TB Day
As the world commemorates World TB Day, OJA shines a spotlight on Shepherd’s Keep and the vital role they play in caring for children affected by Tuberculosis (TB).
Founded in 1998 by Colin and Cheryl Pratley, Shepherd’s Keep was established in response to the HIV/AIDS orphan crisis. Today, while HIV infections among babies have significantly declined due to medical advances, the underlying social challenges of poverty, substance abuse, and family instability continue to place many children at risk.
Alarmingly, the number of abandoned and vulnerable babies has not decreased. Economic
hardship, unemployment, the lasting effects of COVID-19, and rising levels of despair have
contributed to increasing rates of abandonment and neglect.
TB Affects Kids Differently
Tuberculosis affects children very differently from adults. Symptoms are often vague and difficult to detect, including low-grade fevers, swollen glands, weight loss, and general fatigue. In many cases, TB can be mistaken for common childhood illnesses such as mumps or pneumonia, especially in children living with HIV.
According to Michelle Potgieter, daughter of the founders and current manager of Shepherds Keep, one of the greatest challenges is diagnosis:
“A definite diagnosis can take months of hospital visits and admissions, often with
inconclusive results. In the meantime, babies continue to suffer, and there is a risk of infection spreading to others.”
Strict and Consistent Treatment Plan
At Shepherd’s Keep, once the child is diagnosed, a strict and consistent treatment plan is
put in place, which includes:
- Carefully monitored medication schedules
- Daily symptom tracking and reporting
- Individual medication registers for each child
- Nutritional support programmes tailored to each baby
- Regular hospital visits for monitoring and treatment adjustments.
Caregivers work around the clock to ensure no dose is missed and that each child receives the attention they need to recover fully.
“Our caregivers are on duty day and night. Every dose is accounted for, every symptom is recorded — because consistency is key to healing,” says Michelle.
Why is TB Diagnosis Different for Children?
However, based on their experience, accessing TB diagnosis and treatment for children remains a significant challenge.
- Sample collection for young children is difficult.
- Diagnostic methods such as gastric aspiration are invasive and often inconclusive
- Delays between referral and testing increase the risk of further infection
Need for Better and Faster Systems
Michelle emphasises the need for faster, more responsive healthcare systems:
“If clinical evidence suggests TB, treatment should begin without delay, especially for high- risk children. Early intervention saves lives.”
As we mark TB Awareness Month, Shepherd’s Keep calls on communities and healthcare providers to prioritise early diagnosis and aggressive intervention for children.
With the right care, support, and timely treatment, children with TB can recover and thrive.
Through organizations like Shepherd’s Keep, hope continues to be restored along with health – one child at a time.