Picture a young child, eyes gleaming with excitement, clutching a book they can now call their own. This Christmas, through the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Blue Crane Book Project, you can help make that simple, profound dream a reality for thousands of children.
In the heart of the Eastern Cape’s Blue Crane District, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s goal is to deliver not just a gift but the joy of reading to 3,000 young learners. For as little as R50, you can sponsor a gift that includes a captivating storybook, sweets, and a small toy – a complete Christmas package for a child who may have very little to call their own.
“We employ 40 reading assistants who provide intensive one-on-one reading sessions to children with severe reading disabilities,” shares the Jakes Gerwel Foundation.
These reading assistants work in dedicated classrooms within local schools, transformed into nurturing reading rooms filled with books, colourful shelves, cosy mats, and engaging word games. These safe spaces are not only helping children learn to read but are inspiring a love of literature that could change their lives forever.
Beyond their regular reading sessions, the foundation organises holiday programs with plays, word games, food parcels, and face painting, creating a memorable experience for every child involved. “Through these activities, we aim to foster a sense of community and demonstrate that reading and books can be fun,” the foundation explains.
You can be part of this wonderful mission to spread Christmas cheer and hope to young learners in Pearston, KwaNojoli, Somerset East, and Cookhouse. By supporting the Blue Crane Book Project’s BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign where they have raised over R1900 with the aid of 5 incredible donors, you’re joining a movement that brings not only gifts but the potential for a brighter future.
The Grace Factory, situated in Gauteng, continues its compassionate mission of supporting vulnerable mothers and their newborn babies. Since 2012, The Grace Factory has acted as a pillar of support for mothers in need, likened to a “Santa for moms,” providing dignity and relief at one of life’s most vulnerable moments.
With 400 “bundles of joy” maternity packs filled with essential goodies, distributed this past weekend, hundreds of moms across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal can now rest a little easier. These colourful bags, emblazoned with The Grace Factory’s logo, symbolise hope and relief for mothers-to-be who are often burdened with immense stress.
Each bundle contains thoughtful items designed to ease the burden of caring for a newborn. Baby clothes, nappies, wet wipes, baby soap, maternity pads, and breast pads are among the essential gifts packed into these life-changing bags. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, 200 packs were prepared in both provinces over the weekend, bringing smiles and reassurance to 400 families. These maternity packs are distributed to hospitals, clinics, social workers, and community partners.
Donate specific items (the full list is available on their website)
Sponsor a packing day
Host a donation drive to help another 100 mothers and babies in need
The Grace Factory remains dedicated to placing value and dignity on every mother during this critical time in her life. Their vision is clear: no mother should deliver her baby without the basic care essentials, and through the collective support of communities, they continue to make that vision a reality.
Musa, a young man known for his infectious smile and enthusiastic spirit, is no stranger to life’s difficulties. Bound to a wheelchair due to Polio, Musa is also an orphan who has never had the opportunity to attend school or experience the joy of reading and writing. He faces challenges in finding work, and on top of the daily struggles that come with navigating life on wheels, Musa finds solace and happiness in one thing that many South Africans hold dear, rugby.
As a dedicated member of a wheelchair rugby team in Mandeville, Musa plays under the guidance of his coach, Ilan Guest. Ilan has coached the team for many years and has a personal understanding of Musa’s plight, as his own brother is also wheelchair-bound. According to Susan Schaum, “He is a selfless and generous individual,” she said of Ilan.
Ilan further explains the extraordinary effort Musa puts into getting to practise each week, saying that despite his many challenges, he pushes himself to make the 10km round trip on busy roads to attend. Missing practice is a rare occurrence for Musa, even though his wheelchair was on the brink of collapse. “The frame is cracked. No welding can salvage it. At some stage, it will collapse with him in it, heaven forbid on a busy road and far from help,” Ilan said.
Determined to lighten Musa’s load, Ilan initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to provide him with “the best chair he has ever had.” And the response from South Africans has been nothing short of astounding. In just two days, the campaign was fully funded, raising R30,000, and it didn’t stop there. The campaign had surpassed its goal, reaching an impressive R46,150, thanks to the generosity of 81 donors!
This means that not only will Musa get a new wheelchair, but he will also receive additional support for adult-based learning and essentials like shoes, a backpack, axles, and tyres.
The way South Africans rallied behind Musa’s campaign is a remarkable testament to the spirit of community and generosity that thrives in this country. It’s a victory that can stand proudly alongside any Springbok triumph-a reminder that when we come together, we can truly change lives.
As World Stroke Day on 29 October 2024 draws near, South African primary schools are being called to join the FAST Heroes initiative, a global health education programme designed to teach children how to fight stroke and save lives. Supported by the World Stroke Organisation and expanding its reach nationwide, this initiative is transforming young learners into heroes who can act quickly in emergencies.
Targeting children aged 5 to 9 years, FAST Heroes equips them with essential knowledge on how to recognise the key signs of a stroke: facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech impairment. Through a five-week adventure filled with engaging and interactive activities, the programme teaches life-saving skills in a fun, memorable way. Animated characters, like superhero grandparents and their grandchildren, Timmy and Tanya, help children understand the urgency of calling 112, South Africa’s emergency number, when a stroke is suspected. The programme is entirely free for schools to implement, and many schools have extended it to include pre-primary and older students as well.
Building on its success in the Western Cape, FAST Heroes has now reached 125 schools and nearly 20,000 children across South Africa, with 10,000 students participating just in the past year. Educators and healthcare professionals have praised the initiative for its community impact. Dr. De Vries Basson of Karl Bremer Hospital sees it as a powerful tool for uniting communities in the fight against strokes and other chronic diseases.
Wendy Freitas, a teacher at Loreto School Queenswood and winner of the International FAST Heroes Amazing Teacher Award 2024, shared her excitement about the programme: “FAST Heroes provides resources that make teaching both effective and enjoyable. It’s a programme that truly resonates with the students, making learning both engaging and impactful.”
Mr. George Scola, Founder and CEO of the Stroke Survivors Foundation, emphasised the long-term benefits: “Thanks to FAST Heroes, in 5, 10, or 15 years, everyone will know what a stroke is, recognise the signs, and understand how to act FAST to prevent further damage to the survivor.”
FAST Heroes invites schools across South Africa to take part in this life-saving campaign. By empowering young children with the tools they need, we can create a future where quick action saves lives, one grandparent at a time. To register your school or class, or to learn more, visit Fast Heroes.
Tom London, a well-known talk show host and activist from Johannesburg, recently found himself facing a life-threatening health crisis that took him from the wards of Helen Joseph Hospital to the screens of social media. His ordeal not only ignited a critical conversation about the state of South Africa’s public healthcare system but also revealed the incredible power of collective support.
Tom’s health crisis began with a simple chest cold, which escalated into a severe case of pneumonia and pleural effusion. He was admitted to Helen Joseph Hospital, where he experienced firsthand the challenges of the public healthcare system. Documenting his ordeal from his hospital bed, Tom shared raw and emotional videos on social media, expressing his frustration with the neglect and inadequate care he witnessed. “Doctors here, you are giving doctors in South Africa a bad name. I am so angry with you. This is the Helen Joseph Circus Hospital, where doctors experiment on you,” Tom said in one of his viral videos.
His candid accounts of the harsh realities inside the hospital, including the heartbreaking experience of witnessing a fellow patient pass away without immediate assistance, resonated with thousands of South Africans. Many shared similar stories of their own experiences within the public healthcare system, calling attention to the urgent need for reform.
Amidst the distress, something remarkable unfolded as South Africans from all walks of life united in support of Tom after a concerned South African, Alistair Jameson, took the initiative to launch a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, closely following Tom’s journey, to raise the R300,000 required for his life-saving thoracic surgery. In an extraordinary display of solidarity, the goal was surpassed within days, with donations flowing in from across the country and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of 561 donors, Tom successfully raised R368,000, ensuring his surgery would proceed. BackaBuddy paid the funds directly to Morningside Hospital on the afternoon of Monday, September 16, 2024.
Within hours of sharing his urgent need for medical attention at a private hospital, donations began pouring in. “Thank you for everything today. You saved my life,” Tom expressed in gratitude after securing enough funds to transfer to a facility where he could receive the critical care he so desperately needed.
The surgery, discounted to R275,000, leaves the remaining funds to support Tom’s ongoing care and recovery. BackaBuddy CEO, Patrick Schofield, reflects on the overwhelming support, stating, “We’re just glad that we’ve been able to provide a platform for this immense community of people who’ve supported Tom. It speaks volumes about the love and respect people have for him. Our part was to ensure that support reached the hospital as quickly as possible so he could have the operation and focus on getting better.”.
While Tom’s battle with illness was deeply personal, his story sparked a broader movement, reigniting calls for change within the public healthcare system. His viral videos shone a spotlight on the shortcomings of the system, but they also underscored the strength of community when people unite for a common cause.
As Tom continues his recovery, his story remains a symbol of hope and a call for change. It highlights not only the challenges within the public healthcare system but also the profound compassion and generosity that defines South Africa.
