School children with a flair for art are uplifting hearts with the donation of a collection of their masterpieces to Netcare Pinehaven Hospital’s cancer care unit recently.
“My own child had cancer, and I know that the journey can be uncertain and scary at times,” says Elsabe Bell, art teacher at Laerskool Kenmare, who spearheaded the project driven by her personal experience.
“My thought was that we can use the children’s art to offer some lasting emotional support for people during their treatment. We chose the theme of bunnies because you can’t help but smile seeing a picture of a bunny wearing a flower crown, or a big boy bunny with a brush in his mouth, as these talented young artists have portrayed them,” Elsabe says.
“Most families have a loved one or close friend affected by cancer. I thought perhaps if children can contribute in some way to helping people who have difficult circumstances through their art, and bring a little bit of happiness by visiting patients, it would also be rewarding for children to see the difference they can make.”
| Pic: Twelve-year-old Jamie Kruger from Laerskool Kenmare is pictured presenting Colleen Milford with a teddy bear at the school’s art outreach at Netcare Pinehaven Hospital recently. |
| Pic: Laerskool Kenmare art students Johandre Ferreira and Luka Kruger, and art teacher Magda Snyman, Kenmare’s ‘first princess' Mieke Viljoen, and Netcare Pinehaven Hospital general manager, Shalima Maharaj and Carlo Conradie are pictured at the event where the school presented artworks and teddy bears as a show of support for people having cancer treatment at the hospital. |
| Pic: Young artists of Laerskool Kenmare, Andreitte Hennop, Milea Harris, Jamie Kruger, Mieke Viljoen and Lily Morton are pictured showing their artwork and spending time with patients including Charmaine Schreiber. |
Johanna Maduo, who is receiving treatment at the hospital, was delighted with the visit from the school and was very touched when the children gave her a big cuddly teddy bear. “I loved the pictures, and I was very happy to see the children. It was very kind of them to think of us, and I hope they come to visit us again next year,” Mrs Maduo said.
“It was a wonderful gesture, everyone really enjoyed the visit from the sweet children,” adds Colleen Milford, who has regular chemotherapy infusions at the hospital, after a visit from the Laerskool Kenmare pupils.
Elsabe says she hopes other schools’ art departments may be inspired to reach out in similar ways to spread care and support their communities while also providing their budding artists with a platform to express themselves.
Shalima Maharaj, general manager of Netcare Pinehaven Hospital, commended the children on their beautiful pictures and the extraordinary caring the school’s initiative demonstrates for people receiving chemotherapy at the cancer care unit.
“We are honoured to have these artworks in our hospital, and we know that this gallery will be an enduring comfort and inspiration to everyone who visits for years to come. We sincerely thank Laerskool Kenmare for reaching out with this heartwarming show of their caring and amazing artistic abilities,” Maharaj says.
Ends.
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