Topsy Foundation is a non-profit organisation operating in the Grootvlei district, 100km south of Johannesburg. Historically the organisation operated a number of welfare services, among which were a children’s home and a day-care centre. However, these have been narrowed to an HIV clinic, community outreach projects, and skills training projects (beadwork and sewing).

 In 2006, Topsy had 39 patients on antiretroviral treatment. Managing the treatment was difficult. Some of the patients were self-funded and many of them would skip months’ of ARV treatment because of a lack of funds. In September of that year Topsy came on board as a partner of Right to Care’s Thusong programme. The programme funded ARVs for the 39 patients.

A year later (September 2007), Topsy became an NGO partner of Right to Care. Right to Care pays the foundation a cash amount each month, some of which is earmarked for salaries of various staff members. Right to Care also funds antiretroviral medicines, lab tests, and training.
Commenting on the step of becoming an NGO partner, Dr Jana Oosthuizen, Topsy’s Medical Director, said, “For us this was huge; it was a major thing.”

At the end of the last reporting period (Oct 09-Mar 10), Topsy had over 1360 patients on treatment. They are under the care of two doctors, both of whom work in the clinic part-time. Through the provision of resources by Right to Care, no one is turned away from the HIV clinic and all are provided with care and treatment. Right to Care is Topsy’s biggest funder.

Topsy’s head office is in Johannesburg, where ad agency Ogilvy provides space and administrative support at its offices in Bryanston, in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Topsy has two directors: Silvia de Jager (based at head office) and Dr Jana Oosthuizen (based at Grootvlei).