Saving Lives @Rahima Moosa Mother & Child Hospital

Hello again!

In our last report I mentioned how time has flown this year and it certainly continues to do so.  I was dismayed to already see Christmas decorations in the stores in October.  It seems simply weird to me to be celebrating Christmas earlier and earlier each year - but that said, isn't each day a day for genuine celebration and hope!!  

Working in the charitable healthcare space, especially when you are working with underprivileged children, their families and health professionals - each day is a day to be treasured, since life is certainly not something any of us can take for granted!  So my new mantra is: "Why wait for Christmas to celebrate?  Let's truly celebrate each day and support others so they can celebrate too despite what life is throwing at them and us, since together there is always hope.   Yes indeed, as a community we can thrive!"   That is real UBUNTU!.

And YES, Christmas did come early this year to Rahima Moosa Mother and Child hospital given your amazing support this year, especially over July bonus day.  Thank you to all of you that gave so generously!!  And thank you too for continuing to hold Footprints 4 Sam and our work at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital close to your hearts!  (Also, huge apologies for my rather delayed individual notes of thanks, please know that we are very grateful, as are all of our beneficiaries given your individual kindness and incredible generosity!).

I am also pleased to say that since we last checked in the renovations we were doing at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital for the Registrar rooms have been completed.  These beautiful spaces have brought some much needed rest and peace into the lives of these specialist young doctors who before this had little opportunity to recoup, as each day they face their long arduous shifts, especially night shifts.  

One of the Doctors approached me in the corridor recently and said to me:

"Melissa, you just can never know what a game changer these rest & study rooms are!" - So thank you all for helping us bring hope into sometimes very dark, bleak and long medical shifts.  

We have also done another national bucket run and buckets of food and toiletries were delivered to Rahima Moosa Hospital in October.  These buckets are jam-packed with essential items and bring much needed food and toiletries to families who have very little and who are fighting not only to maintain the health of their families but to feed them and to keep good hygiene practices going despite their poor social economic circumstances. We have also done much needed training on Tracheostomy care and best practice around traches and the doctors and nurses were grateful for this knowledge and training which continues to support their care of patients and supports improved patient outcomes.

You all made this possible and as we approach #GivingTuesday, please remember the important work we are doing as we continue to fundraise to renovate the neonatal ICU.  Next year the hospital celebrates her 80th birthday and we trust that with all of our donors on board we will finally realise our dream of breaking ground next year and renovating this much needed facility.

A very Merry Christmas to you ALL!  Let's celebrate now for all the many blessings that surround us!

Much love from the Footprints 4 Sam Team,

Melissa