دار الشفاء
Dar al Shifa (pronounced DarushShifa) means an abode of care, love, & healing.
Introduction
This concept document explains t
he basic need and idea for the establishment and implementation of DarusShifa – Abode of Care, Love & Healing – Centres in South Africa under the auspices of the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (Awqaf SA) – South Africa’s leading Waqf institution. (awqafsa.org.za), in cooperation with other NGOs.
The elderly, infirm, frail, and vulnerable in society – of all races, beliefs, and ages – need at some time or another a home or care centre where they can get the love and care until their recovery, respite, or ongoing care/treatment is terminated. In South Africa, these centres are often provided by communities or government. During the apartheid era, whites as a privileged class enjoyed much government financial support for such institutions. Today, however, communities have to battle it out themselves with little or zero government support.
Awqaf SA, as a community based waqf (Islamic Charitable Endowment) institution, deems it necessary to mobilise and organise projects that would cater for the needs of communities. In this regard, it deems it necessary, especially in disadvantaged communities, to create facilities for the frail and infirm, especially where they are desperately in need of help.
Proposal
Awqaf SA has acquired two sites (and some are pending) with the goodwishes and goodwill of generous donors. It is felt that these sites be used for the DarusShifa project.
Aims and Objectives
• To provide a warm, comfortable, safe and engaging home with relatively high standards
• To facilitate/provide appropriate medical care for patients/ clients
• To provide day care facilities
• To provide a base for home-based care
• To cater for temporary or permanent patients/ clients
• To employ appropriately trained caregivers
• To provide a professional service
• To train caregivers
• To be open to all irrespective of race, colour or creed
• To operate with an underlying Islamic ethos and spirit
DarusShifa Launch Videos
Launch of the Daru Shifa Project
Part1
Launch of the Daru Shifa Project
Part2
Operating Association
The operation of the facility needs to be done by the Operating Association in partnership with Awqaf SA. In this regard an Association Not-for-Gain will be established and registered as a PBO/NPO with its own constitution. This will provide “ownership” to the local community and its dedicated volunteers and staff.
Financial objectives
• To raise adequate funding for start up.
• To maintain financial viability.
• To establish a Waqf Fund for each facility
• To provide services at affordable rates.
Mission
- Awqaf SA promotes the dignity and self-worth of the patient/client and strives to give them an excellent quality of life.
- Awqaf SA DarusShifa is not just a caregiving facility—it is their home and their community.
- Awqaf SA will seek to work with partners who are passionate and dedicated to working for the care of its target groups.
- Awqaf SA’s primary purpose would be to support the establishment of such institutions and assist the Operating Association on the ground.
Values
To operate facilities with best practices, integrity, honestly, and efficiently with due professional diligence and care.
Facilities
Broadly, the DarusShifa concept may incorporate all or some of the following facilities:
- Frail Care
- Day Care (where non resident elderly may come and spend the time with their peers and return home in the evening. It is a chance for them to meet people and share their experiences.
- Home Based Care
- Respite Centre
- Step-down facility
- Rehabilitation Centre
- Training Centre
- Day clinic & Dispensary
- Other amenities such as income generating hall, auditorium, mini conference and training centre; self catering units for family support; childrens play areas.
The aim is to establish a well managed and well maintained facility, giving patients/clients the experience of a state-of-the-art environment, with entertainment, indoor activities, and well laid out areas for exercise, walks, and other outdoor activities. Children can visit and the patients/clients too can leave for home stay once in a while.
Waqf Fund
It is envisaged that a designated Waqf Fund will be established for the DarusShifa project with the aim of making the facility self reliant and self sufficient over time and for the ongoing subsidisation of the facility so as to make it as affordable as possible and especially to support the poor and needy. Waqf / Sadaqa Jariyah Donations are welcome.
Financial Model
DarusShifa will be modelled along Social Enterprise lines. “A social enterprise is an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders.” (Wikipedia)
“a social enterprise has two goals: to achieve social, cultural, community, economic, or environmental outcomes; and, to earn revenue”.
DarusShifa will operate as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) where there will be no external shareholders. Profits, if any, will be ploughed back into the waqf fund. Operating as a Social Enterprise will not preclude the NPO from charging a fee for services rendered. The fee may be tapered according to the affordability of the patient/ client and will be levied after undergoing an affordability test. Where possible, appropriate measures shall be taken to accommodate medical aid patients/clients
Financial assistance to Patients/Clients
Limited financial assistance may be provided either through Zakat (to Muslim residents) and Awqaf to Muslims and persons of other faiths. General donations may also be obtained from various other quarters eg government, corporates, businesses in the community, and the general public. Other forms of charity may also be used eg Sadaqa, Lillah, Interest, Kaffara, etc.
Capital Funding
The capital funding would also be done on the waqf principle. Awqaf SA together with all interested parties will endeavour to raise the necessary funds locally and internationally. Appropriate fund raising models will be developed eg Sponsor-a-brick to Sponsor-a- room to Sponsor-a-section etc. Plus the Waqf Al Wasiyyah , Waqf Al Maal , Waqf Al Tijara, Waqf Al Nuqud, 1% per month mechanisms for waqf making.
Operational Costs
Operational costs will be funded from operating revenues, waqf revenues, grants, subsidies, and other donor funding.
Registration
The facility will be registered with the appropriate authorities.
Cooperation
DarusShifa will cooperate with other organizations with similar objectives.
Awqaf SA role
Awqaf SA’s role will be to ensure good planning, implementation, corporate governance, policies and processes and to mobilise, hold, manage, and invest waqf assets and funds. Awqaf SA will also help develop marketing and organisational strategies on an ongoing basis.
Naming
The words Awqaf DarushShifa will be a brand name for facilities together with English / African language names eg Awqaf DarushShifa / …. etc
Partners
Awqaf SA shall solicit partners to the DarusShifa project. Potential 
partners are:
- Johannesburg Council for the Disabled (JOCOD)
- Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA)
- South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF)
- Department of Social Development (DSD)
- Lenmed Health
- Municipal Social/Health Services
- Hospice SA
