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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 mourns the death of Prof. Jakes Gerwel
2012-11-29

Prof. Jakes Gerwel
29 November 2012

The University of the Free State (UFS) mourns the death of one of South Africa’s most respected academics and leaders, Prof. Jakes Gerwel.

The 66-year-old thought leader died on Wednesday in Cape Town, after spending Tuesday in critical condition following heart surgery.

Prof. Gerwel was a well-known figure in South Africa's political history and in his later years, he chaired and was on the board of major organisations and corporations. In 2004 the UFS awarded an honorary degree in literature to him.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, UFS’ Vice-Chancellor and Rector, said Prof. Gerwel was one of South Africa's leading scholars in Afrikaans literature and an outstanding university leader during troubled times.

“He inspired a generation of young scholars through his example of linking political activism to academic excellence in ways that enhanced both. I regard him as my senior mentor, and I am forever grateful for the example he set, which I hope to emulate.”
 

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