Footprints 4 Sam offers hope & dignity to underprivileged children with chronic illness. Our vehicle initiative launched in 2018 helps children with chronic illness to more readily access clinic & hospital appointments in Cape Town, South Africa. We have transported over 2700 children (Over 5200 passengers including caregivers & siblings). During Covid_19 we have delivered medication, food and toiletries to these families. We would like to expand this programme and ensure its sustainability.
Public transport in South Africa is very limited. Many underprivileged communities have to use mini van taxis which are often overcrowded & expensive. Because of this children with a chronic condition often miss their follow up clinic or hospital appointments which puts their lives at risk. Secondly, children in hospital for long lengths of time are left alone because parents cannot afford to visit. If a child dies then parents often have to go home in a crowded taxi with no dignity.
With the launch of the vehicle (van) programme in 2018 children are now able to attend their clinics regularly which helps support positive patient outcomes. They are also able to go to additional therapies such as music & art therapy, essential for their well-being. Parents are also better supported since they are no longer dependant on unreliable public transport which is difficult and expensive to use when their child is in a buggy or wheel chair and they can visit their child in hospital.
An expansion of our current vehicle programme which has two mini vans in Cape Town, will continue to improve the overall well being of chronic paediatric patients in South Africa. This service has been successful and has been welcomed by health professionals in the government health sector. The programme helps restore the dignity of families offering both child and parent much needed hope and support. The greatest gift to these families is knowing that they are not alone and someone cares.
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