{"id":91766,"date":"2015-06-14T07:25:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-14T05:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/91766\/putting-her-skills-to-good-use\/"},"modified":"2015-06-15T11:38:56","modified_gmt":"2015-06-15T09:38:56","slug":"putting-her-skills-to-good-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2015\/06\/14\/putting-her-skills-to-good-use\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting her skills to good use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Six weeks ago a new face joined the Avril Elizabeth Home<\/a>\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

Ronel de Freitas-Smit became the CEO of the home, which cares for the intellectually disabled and, on Thursday, the GCN took the opportunity to get to know her better.<\/p>

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Ronel, an animal lover, was born in Alberton, but grew up in a small town in the Boland, before returning to Johannesburg 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

When asked why she decided to join the team at Avril Elizabeth, she said: \u201cI know it sounds clich\u00e9d, but I wanted to put the skills I have to good use.<\/p>

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\u201cI have worked with non-profit organisations (NPOs) for many years and have learned what should and shouldn\u2019t be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I heard about the position here I couldn\u2019t think of a better way to use my skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronel wants her main focus as CEO to be the provision of excellent care to all the residents for whom the home cares.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey deserve to have the best life possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As a start on this goal she has launched a project that will see all the staff members applying for and receiving a clearance certificate, which will show that they have never been accused or convicted of a sexual offence against a minor or disabled person.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother way we can assure quality service to our residents,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ronel is still getting to know the 154 residents and 154 staff members who make up the Avril Elizabeth Home, but shared one of her fond memories of her short time at the home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was doing rounds with a member of the staff when we visited one of our more severely disabled residents,” she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecognising my colleague, he decided to play a prank on her by faking a fit.<\/p>\n

\u201cRealising the prank had worked he laughed; it was so beautiful to see that, despite everything, he has an amazing sense of humour.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked which area at the home was her favourite, Ronel admitted that she loves the workshop.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot leave the workshop in a bad mood; everyone is so welcoming and wants to show you what they are doing and how they are doing it,\u201d she said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Ronel is supported by her husband George, daughter Megan (20), son Emil (16) and step-daughter Lousie (12) and looks forward to involving them in some of the activities at the home.<\/p>\n

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