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30 September 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath | Photo Supplied
SWSA represented by Mariné du Toit (left) and Lyshea Mapaike(right) at the handover of the funds raised

Sunflower Children’s Hospice, situated on the ground floor of the National District Hospital, is a non-profit organisation that provides care and compassion for all children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. As far as possible, the hospice aims to keep children within their families and communities, with relevant supervision and support.  However, the hospice is also a permanent residence to many children.

At Sunflower Children’s Hospice, children and their families are provided with:
• palliative care, including pain and symptom management;
• quality of life;
• relief of suffering;
• support for child and family/guardians;
• developmental stimulation;
• support during the bereavement period;
• dignity in death;
• community participation; and
• relevant training.

Due to limited funds, the hospice experiences many financial challenges, which motivated the Social Work Student Association (SWSA) to become involved. Their involvement led to the establishment of the ‘#Adoptaflower’ project by raising funds for the organisation and getting more Social Work students to spend time with the children, as they do not have enough caregivers at the house to give them the special personal attention that they need.  This project was spearheaded by Mariné du Toit, Portfolio Head: Community Upliftment of the SWSA. 

The fundraising initiative collected R1 300 from selling raffle tickets to the university community.  Due to COVID-19 and the lockdown period, it became impossible to proceed with the intention of the Social Work students to spend more time with the children.  

Besides Social Work students not being able to proceed with their intention of interacting more closely with the children concerned, the lockdown unfortunately also affected it negatively in other areas.  The hospice needs assistance with clothes, toiletries, and groceries. Sunflower House therefore needs funds and sponsors to continue providing services to so many children in need of care and support. For more information regarding public involvement, 051 448 3813 is the number to call. 

News Archive

UFS shaping arts and culture education in the Free State
2009-03-16

 
A collaboration between the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State, the Department of Arts and Culture and the Flemish government has been instrumental in gradually changing the landscape of arts and culture education in the Free State. The Artists in Schools Project: Free State Province (AIS FS), launched in 2004 as a result of this collaboration, has since made remarkable strides in developing the arts and culture learning area in schools and creating jobs for visual artists in the province. The project brings together artists, educators and learners in a mutually beneficial process that involves various stakeholders from government, educational institutions and communities. It not only benefits schools from disadvantaged areas, but also those catering for learners with disabilities. AIS FS covers three districts of the province, namely Motheo, Lejweleputswa and Thabo Mofutsanyane. Pictured are, from the left: Mr Dirk-Hannes van den Berg (student involved in AIS FS), Ms Nontombi Ntakakaze (Project Manager) and Mr Bareng Lichaba Lichaba (Artist Educator), with some of the artworks produced by learners.
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

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