When South African wellness practitioner Suré Tredoux first heard about the Sunshine Centre in Walvis Bay, Namibia, she was deeply moved. The stories of children living with disabilities, their laughter, courage, and will to thrive despite immense physical challenges touched something profound in her. Suré, a long-time advocate for holistic self – healing and the co – founder of several Body Stress Release (BSR) outreach programs across Africa, knew instantly that this was a community where hope could take root in extraordinary ways.
Above – Suré Tredoux
Now, through a pilot Body Stress Release outreach set to run from 26 October to 5 November 2025, Suré and her team of three BSR practitioners are bringing gentle, non-invasive care to children who have never had access to such support. The goal: to ease their daily pain, enhance their mobility, and help them rediscover the simple joys of childhood.
A Gentle Touch that Transforms Lives
Developed in South Africa in 1981 by Ewald and Gail Meggersee, Body Stress Release is a gentle hands-on technique designed to identify and release stored tension caused by physical, emotional, or chemical stress. By helping the body and brain reconnect, BSR promotes natural self – healing, reduces pain and spasms, and improves overall well-being.
“Every child deserves to feel ease in their body and joy in their spirit,” says Suré Tredoux, Chairperson of the Body Stress Release Foundation.
“At Sunshine Centre, we’ve met children who live with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and developmental delays, conditions that make daily movement an ongoing struggle. BSR won’t cure these disabilities, but it can ease tension and bring comfort. That comfort can change everything.”
The pilot program will support 90 children, each receiving three sessions over ten days. Every R250 donation sponsors a single session, covering vital outreach expenses such as travel, accommodation, and hygiene materials. To date, R8,883.60 has been raised from 18 generous donors, bringing the campaign closer to its R50,000 goal.
For these children, each session could mean more restful sleep, less pain, and a chance to experience their world more freely.
Sunshine in Every Sense of the Word
Founded in 1996, the Sunshine Centre has long been a beacon of compassion in Walvis Bay’s Erongo region. What began in a social worker’s waiting room with five grandmothers and their grandchildren has blossomed into a vibrant community hub serving over 100 children and youth, as well as 18 adults with disabilities. Under the leadership of Ms. Wendy Huschfieldt and a dedicated team, the Centre offers education, therapy, meals, and transport and, most importantly, a place where every individual is celebrated for what they can do.
Suré describes the Centre as “a place that feels like sunshine – even on days when the Namibian coast is grey. You walk in, and you feel the love, the laughter, and the light that the children bring.”
Two of those children, Dimitri and Poppy, embody that spirit. Dimitri, who has spina bifida, faces daily physical strain but dreams of attending a mainstream school.
“With BSR,” Suré explains, “we hope to ease the tension in his body so he can move with more stability and comfort.”
Poppy, a young athlete and singer, radiates joy wherever she goes.
“She’s an Olympic gold medallist in spirit,” Suré says fondly. “If we can help her body move more freely, her brilliance will shine even brighter.”
From One Visit to a Lasting Legacy
Though this is the first BSR outreach at Sunshine Centre, Suré and her team dream of making it a regular program. The long-term vision is to establish annual or bi-annual visits, train local practitioners, and eventually create a BSR bursary for someone in Walvis Bay inspired to continue this work.
“Even the smallest gift can bring real change,” Suré reminds supporters. “Your donation doesn’t just fund a project, it gives a child comfort, hope, and the chance to experience life with more ease.”
In the words of Sunshine Centre’s founding philosophy, Nothing for us without us, this collaboration represents more than therapy; it’s a partnership rooted in respect, inclusion, and shared humanity. Through passion, perseverance, and compassion, the team hopes to plant seeds of self – healing that will grow for years to come.
A Call to the Heart
As the first children in Walvis Bay prepare to experience Body Stress Release this October, the message from Suré and Gail Klinkert at the BSR Foundation is clear: every act of kindness counts. Whether through a once-off donation or a small monthly contribution, supporters are helping to rewrite what’s possible for these remarkable children.
Together, they are turning relief into resilience, and making sure the Sunshine Centre continues to live up to its name, one gentle touch at a time.
To support the Sunshine Centre BSR campaign, visit:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/bsr-outreach-sunshine-centre-namibia
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