Ubuntu Beds | Helping our healthcare heroes
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By offering healthcare workers a safe place to self-isolate, Ubuntu Beds is helping support those fighting COVID-19 on the front line.
With its vision to protect the healthcare workers that protect us, Ubuntu Beds helps accommodate frontline workers by giving them a safe place to rest.
Launched in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation was set up to unite hospitality businesses standing empty to offer safe, free accommodation to those fighting the virus at the coalface.
Ubuntu Beds is also helping reduce the risk of the virus being taken home and spread to vulnerable family members and communities. It also offers places to quarantine or self-isolate when healthcare workers come into contact with or contract the virus. For healthcare workers unable to safely isolate at home, they’re provided with three meals a day and transport to get to relevant facilities.
“I would like to extend my appreciation and a million thanks to the Heroes and Heroines of the Ubuntu Beds team! I was travelling more than 123 kilometres (single trip) from home to work between my shifts (day and night).
The Organisation came to my rescue after requesting their help. As a healthcare front line worker, I was allocated accommodation near my workplace which is 19,9 kilometres away, which was nothing compared to what I was travelling to home. It afforded me the opportunity to rest between my shifts and avoid accidents caused by fatigue after 12-hour shifts. It also allowed me to reduce contact with my family and prevent them from getting infected at this trying time of the pandemic.”
– Lucas, a local healthcare worker
“The support we received from Ubuntu Beds has been incredible and with such support, we were able to support our Health Care Heroes. Working together, we ensured that our staff and our facility was a “Home Away from Home” for these committed Health Care Heroes to be able to rest and recover.”
- Local accommodation provider
Ubuntu Beds’ long-term purpose is to create a caring community platform matching people suffering from humanitarian crises or natural disasters with safe spaces and support. By creating a database of NPOs across South Africa and defining categories for the support they need, such as gender-based violence, healthcare or natural disasters, donors will be able to support their chosen NPO category by sponsoring required funds or bed nights.