ABOUT CHEEA  

MISSION:    
The Organisation stands for the unification and continual improvement of Health and Environmental Awareness, thus working towards continual improvement by co-ordinating the efforts of the organisation, in schools and the community.
 
VISION:   
The organisation’s vision is to promote and improve both the health and environmental education awareness, primarily through capacity building within schools, the development and empowerment of youth and community who are able, through participation in a variety of programmes, to maximise their potential; succeed academically, personally, and in their career choices; become leaders and contribute to community social and economic development and improvement in the living standards and the environment of the areas in which they live.

VALUES:        
The Organisation and its members are committed to:-
-   Transformation
-    Ethics    
-    Transparency and fairness
-    Putting Learners first
-    Service excellence
-    Sharing of knowledge and resources
-  Sustainable development                                                                                                            

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 
-    To promote the awareness and recognition of Health and Environmental Education Awareness in  Schools (particularly local ones).
-    Stimulate and empower learners and educators to become active and effective within their communities in addressing these issues
-    To promote an integrated and holistic view of a clean and healthy environment.
-    To further international connectedness.
-    To promote and encourage synergies and achieve agreed objectives.
-    To engage with all stakeholders in creating health and environmental education awareness.

DATE OF CREATION:    
Operating form January 2008

ORGANIZATION STATUS:                  
-    Non Profit - Community Based Organisation
-    Received Non Profit Organisation Status in January2008
-    Watchdog organization
-    Promotes Capacity Building & Advocacy
-    Clearinghouse
-    Bridging the Gaps with all Stakeholders – Community; Industries; Government (National; Provincial; Local)

LEVEL OF ACTION:
-   National
-    Regional
-    Local

ACTIVE ADVOCACY AT:                     
-    Media
-    Community at large
-    Schools (rural & urban)
-    Hospitals
-    Clinics

CHEEA'S PROGRAMMES:                  
-    Childhood Caregivers
-    Greening Projects
-    Indoor & Outdoor Pollution
-    Health Education
-    Respiratory Health - Asthma
-    PMTCT & HIV/AIDS                     
-    Early Childhood Development (ECD)
-    Recycling (Paper; Plastic; Cardboard)

ISSUES OF INTEREST (or Concern):       
-    Access to Quality Health Services
-    Educational and Community-Based Programmes
-    Environmental Health
-    Health Communication
-    HIV/Aids Awareness Programmes
-    Public Health Infrastructure
-    Respiratory Diseases
-    Sexually Transmitted Diseases
-    Substance Abuse
-    Tobacco Use
-    Corporate Accountability
-    Climate Change
-    Environmental Rights & Education
-    Human & Social Rights
-    Advocacy
-    Capacity Building
-    eThekwini Municipality Multi Point Plan (MPP) - Air Quality Data analysis & interpretation

STRUCTURE:         
The organisation is a Women’s organization, guided by a six member Management Committee. The diverse, Durban-based Management Committee meets regularly and helps govern the Organisation through programmes and financial oversight.

STAFF NUMBER:         
1 - Full Time
2 - Full Time Volunteers
1 - Full Time Student
 
CHAIRPERSON:     
Farida Khan: Chairperson & Co -founder.  

SKILLS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ORG.   
Finance; Fund Raising; Funding Applications & Proposals; Project Management; Environmental & Health knowledge; Administration; Layout & Publications
    
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON:           
Dr. S. Naidu: Paediatrician – Prince Mysheni Hospital

TREASURER:   
Ms. Indira Appalnaidu: Co – founder of CHEEA – B. Tech: Marketing & Accounting; H. Ed

DEPUTY TREASURER:   
Mrs. Vijay Ishak: Secondary School Educator - MBA & BSc Degree

SECRETARY:   
Ms. Joy Kistnasamy: Tertiary Education Lecturer (Durban University of Technology) - Health & Environment: M. Tech: Environmental Health & B. Com

DEPUTY SECRETARY:   
Ms. L. G. Naidoo - Primary School Educator – B. Ed & Cum Laude – Environmental Science

OPERATING OFFICERS:  
Farida Khan; 2 Volunteers & Student

AFFILIATES:     
CHEEA has developed formal and informal “affiliate” relationships with organisations that serve as resource and support centres. Affiliation reflects reciprocal relationships where CHEEA provides participation with access to affiliate organisations and vice versa.

The Affiliates are:

• Crisis Careline;
• The National Asthma Education Programme;
• Asthma Foundation of Western Australia;
• Children Hospital of Orange County – America;
• The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology;
• Sydney West (Australia) Area Health Service -– Asthma Unit

CO-OPERATION WITH:     
Many NGOs and NGO networks

MEANS OF ACTION: 

• Campaigning
• Lobbying
• Investigative reporting
• Education
• Awareness
• News
• Analysis
• Research tools
• Action alerts

PUBLICATIONS:         
Asthma Information Sheets
isiZulu Brochures on Asthma ( 1st in South Africa)