Tilly Brouwer retires after 21 years at St Francis
A pillar of strength during some of the darkest days of the HIV/Aids epidemic, the Cinderella resident leaves behind a legacy of compassion, courage and unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable in society.
When Tilly joined the centre in July 2004, South Africa was facing the full brunt of the HIV pandemic.
'Back then, there was no medication available. People came to us to die.With 30 to 40 deaths per month in the adult unit, the centre became a place where families found dignity in death and solace in sorrow.'
Just months into her tenure, everything changed when St Francis became a beneficiary of PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).
'That was a turning point. We could screen, test, counsel, and start people on antiretroviral treatment. The change in patients was incredible.'
Tilly recalls the centre's first day of offering antiretroviral treatment, September 1, 2004, as a cold, rainy day.
'An aunt brought her niece, who was on death's doorstep, to us. She had accepted she was going to die, but we started her on treatment and almost 21 years later, she was alive and thriving.
'We come from a time when HIV was a death sentence to where it is now seen as a chronic condition – manageable and treatable.'
Under Tilly's guidance, St Francis evolved from an HIV-focused facility into a fully fledged palliative care centre, serving patients with any life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.
'We expanded to palliative care in its true form – focused on pain relief, comfort, and dignity at the end of life.'
The centre's children's ward, Rainbow Cottage, has also been close to Tilly's heart. They serve children from birth to six years, many abandoned, orphaned or abused.
Father Stan
Working alongside the late Father Stan Brennan, founder of the centre, was a highlight of Tilly's career.
'He was a man of vision. If he saw a need, he addressed it. Father Stan had a wonderful sense of humour and he taught me sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.'
Tilly recalls one example of this approach when she sent a nurse to Rio de Janeiro to escort a South African woman home after she had been imprisoned for drug trafficking.
'She was HIV positive, desperately ill and had nobody else. We brought her back, reconciled her with her children and she was baptised before passing away peacefully. That is what St Francis is about.'
Another of Tilly's proudest achievements has been securing funding for the centre, often from international donors and the national lottery.
'We had to work hard to keep the lights on. But we never turned a patient away because they could not pay. That was a promise I made to Father Stan.'
Despite the weight of leadership, Tilly always believed in empowering her team and maintaining stability.
On entering retirement, Tilly said the transition is daunting but exciting.
She plans to split her time between South Africa and Australia, where two of her children and three of her 10 grandchildren live.
'I will travel, but will always keep an eye on St Francis. Father Stan's legacy must be honoured.'
Her advice to her successor: 'Stay focused on the mission. Advocate fiercely, especially for the children. They cannot speak for themselves. When I look into their eyes, I always hear: 'What are you doing about my future?''
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