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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

Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Studies produces a literary hat trick
2015-12-17

Description: Samantha book cover Tags: Samantha book cover

Three scholars. Three books. One research unit.

Two post-doctoral fellows and a PhD student from Trauma, Forgiveness and Reconciliation (TFR) Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) have each achieved author-status. During December 2015, Drs Samantha van Schalkwyk and Kim Wale, as well as Naleli Morojele will have their books on the shelves.

Description: Naleli Morojele book cover Tags: Naleli Morojele book cover

Dr Van Schalkwyk, PhD in Psychology (UFS, 2014), is leading co-editor of the book A Reflexive Inquiry into Gender Research: Towards a New Paradigm of Knowledge Production & Exploring New Frontiers of Gender Research in Southern Africa. The book is a product of an international symposium she organised in 2013. Dr Van Schalkwyk has made prolific contributions during her three years at the UFS: speaking at two international conferences, and publishing her research in internationally-accredited peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she is also heading a major research project on Gender Reconciliation, based at the university.

Dr Wale is a graduate of the University of London with a PhD (2013) in post-conflict development. Her forthcoming book, South Africa's Struggle to Remember: Contested Memories of Squatter Resistance in the Western Cape is based on her doctoral research. Now that Dr Wale’s book is finished, she will be working with Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela on the analysis of research data collected for a study on transformation – as well as resistance to it – in students’ residences.

 Description: Kim Wale book cover Tags: Kim Wale book cover

Naleli Morojele received her Master of Arts in African Studies in 2014 from the UFS. Her dissertation research was on women political leaders in post-conflict countries, with data collected in South Africa and Rwanda. The review comments on her thesis prompted her to consider turning her research into a book. She spent seven months on this project with support from a global network of mentors affiliated with TFR Studies. The product is the book, Women Political Leaders in Rwanda and South Africa: Narratives of Triumph and Loss. Morojele is currently a PhD candidate. Her study focuses on university women, and explores women’s gender identity in the post-apartheid context.

“I am very excited about the work that these young women have produced,” says Prof Gobodo-Madikizela. “Dr Van Schalkwyk has already been invited by Palgrave Macmillan to consider a contract with the publisher to turn her PhD thesis into a book. It is going to be a very busy and productive year for her.”

A bumper book launch in mid-January 2016 is in the pipeline.

 

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