BuaNews (Tshwane)
2 December 2008
Bloemfontein — Children at the Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein were given teddy bears and snack packs to brighten their day on Monday.
The 30 children, who are suffering from cancer and spend much of their time at the hospital's cancer pediatric ward, were excited at not only receiving the gifts but receiving visitors too.
The Free State Treasury donated the bears and Corporate Services Manager Mpho Tshihlo said the gesture formed part of the department's social responsibility initiatives.
"We want to reach-out to the most vulnerable sector of the community not only through donations but by way of sharing our skills and expertise, through volunteering to various institutions including this hospital," Ms Tshihlo said.
While the children have terminal diseases such cancer and HIV and AIDS, they can become productive adults if their illnesses are managed well.
This was part of the Treasury's support for the 16 days of activism against abuse of women and children campaign.
The campaign was originally initiated by United Nations (UN) to raise awareness and foster action against the violation of the rights of women and children across the globe.
South Africa joined this campaign in 1998 and has been hosting parallel program annually from November 25 to 10 December. The national convener for the campaign is the Deputy Minister of the Provincial and Local, Nomatyala Hangana.
Meanwhile, in the rural communities of Masoyi and White River in Mpumalanga will complete a health walk and have a community meeting on Tuesday.
The Provincial Department of Local Government, the Masoyi Local Traditional Council and employees from the municipality are to take part in the walk as well.
Masoyi is a rural area and like any other areas of this nature have a high level of crime, unemployment, and other social ills.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 BuaNews. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
