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14 October 2024 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Reuben Maeko
Diabetes Open Day 2024
Dr Deepa Alexander (Senior Lecturer/Head: Clinical Unit Paediatrics and Child Health) and Dietetics student Anri Nel testing blood glucose and recording the blood glucose values of the children with type 1 diabetes.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, in collaboration with the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, recently hosted a successful Diabetes Open Day designed for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The open day, which aimed to provide a supportive environment to learn, connect, and have fun, took place on Friday 27 September in the CR de Wet/Bophelong Building on the Bloemfontein Campus. The day welcomed 10 children and 10 caregivers, offering a comprehensive programme tailored to address the unique needs of young individuals living with diabetes. The participants, aged five to thirteen, engaged in a variety of activities that educated them about their condition, but also empowered them to take control of their health in a positive and proactive way.

Angelique Carson-Porter, Lecturer in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and one of the organisers, stated, “Healthy eating is a cornerstone of diabetes management. Rather than viewing dietary restrictions as limitations, diabetes-friendly cooking classes encourage individuals to explore a world of new flavours and ingredients.” The department offered cooking workshops that teaches parents how to prepare delicious, low-sugar, and nutrient-rich dishes.

Education combined with fun activities

The Diabetes Open Day aimed to bring together children who face the same daily challenges in managing type 1 diabetes. Education combined with fun activities were used to teach the children to improve and control their blood sugar levels. The final-year Dietetics students provided practical advice on managing blood sugar levels, the importance of a balanced diet, and the role of physical activity in diabetes care.

While education and support were central to the day’s agenda, the organisers ensured that fun was a key component of the experience. The day included various engaging activities, all designed to promote physical well-being and emotional expression. These activities aimed to help children see that managing diabetes does not mean missing out on the joys of childhood.

Additionally, the open day offered a safe space for children to express their emotions and share their experiences with peers who understand their journey. This sense of community is crucial for building resilience and fostering a supportive network that extends beyond the event.

This event provided the final-year Dietetics students at the UFS with teaching and learning opportunities, as they were caring for and educating these children, as well as preparing the correct food for them. The students were also responsible for planning the open day, developing educational material to take home, and creating games to teach them the importance of physical activity in the management of type 1 diabetes.

Managing diabetes

According to Katleho Stemmer, a student who participated in the open day, managing diabetes can be a challenging experience, but it does not mean it has to be boring or burdensome. Health experts and diabetes patients alike, she continues, are finding innovative ways to transform their routines and make diabetes management a more engaging and enjoyable process. From interactive cooking classes to fitness challenges and support groups, there are countless ways to turn diabetes management into a fun and motivating journey.

“The key to successfully managing diabetes lies in consistency and a positive mindset. By incorporating fun activities, engaging communities, and a creative approach, individuals can transform their diabetes management routines into an enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle.

“Diabetes doesn’t have to define one's life – it can be an opportunity to explore new hobbies, make new friends, and adopt a healthier, more balanced way of living. With the right support and a little bit of fun, managing diabetes can become less of a challenge and more of an empowering adventure. These gatherings help foster a sense of community and mutual support,” she says.

News Archive

New digital planetarium first of its kind for Sub-Saharan Africa
2013-10-10

Mr Andrew Johnson, Sky-Skan engineer, explains how the dataprojector of the new digital planetarium functions.
10 October 2013

The University of the Free State (UFS) is the first in the world to boast a modern digital planetarium which was erected within an existing observatory.

It is also the first planetarium of its kind for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“What makes the project unique is the fact that we convert the existing observatory structure into a modern digital planetarium. It hasn’t been done anywhere else,” says Andrew Johnson, engineer at Sky-Skan, the company supplying the equipment and also installing it.

Andrew has worked on similar projects, with his company installing digital planetariums around the world.

What makes the planetarium so special is the fact that it offers visitors an inclusive experience.

“Previously visitors could only watch projected stars and constellations, but with the digital planetarium they can now experience a journey through space which feels very close to reality.”

Andrew points out that, apart from stargazing and travelling through space, the digital planetarium allows the audience to visit planets, explore the secrets of the oceans or even organs in the human body.

The planetarium will also be used for concerts, state-of-the-art presentations, theatre productions, as well as meetings, conferences and exhibitions.

The auditorium can seat approximately 90 adults or 120 children.

The digital dome that was recently fitted into the existing observatory structure, is a 12-metre seamless aluminium screen complemented by a powerful surround-sound system and multiple data projectors from Sky-Skan. This results in an immersive experience of the digital universe, as well as the recreation of the macro and micro cosmos an a variety of other environments.

The planetarium will be officially opened on Friday 1 November 2013 by Derek Hanekom, Minister of Science and Technology. Prof Matie Hoffman from the Department of Physics at the UFS is delighted at this visit from Minister Hanekom.

“This recognition and national interest demonstrates the importance and contribution of the first digital planetarium in Sub-Saharan Africa to science and astronomy.  It is also evidence that a facility like this is important for the training of the next generation of scientists.”

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