Footprints Foundation, a South African non-profit organisation (NPO) that focuses on children living with terminal illnesses and GlaxoSmithkline (GSK), a British pharmaceutical company, announced a long standing collaboration at Dinokaneng Game Lodge on 08 November 2017 in Hammanskraal that will benefit children with serious health and life challenges.
The collaboration will see GSK supporting Footprints Foundation with finance to host children with serious health issues and with life challenges by giving them an exposure to unique outdoor camping that is characterised with educational exposure.
Camp director, Lindy Nieuwenhuizen, said they are hoping to collaborate with other NPO’s from the area that are doing good by giving support to children who need support with any life challenges.
“We are happy with the collaboration that we just started with GSK as it will benefit children and we are hoping to go into Hammanskraal to meet with NPO’s working in the area of care for children living with serious illnesses and life challenges.
“To give the children support, we take them out of their environment for recreation and educational programmes. It could be a kid lying in hospital for long, we request the doctors caring for them to give them a day pass so that they can come and interact with other kids who might be facing the same challenges.
“To date since our inception in 2008, a number of 3 662 children have benefited from attending 74 camps that were hosted in different venues and today it is the 75th hosted here in Hammanskraal,” said Ms Nieuwenhuizen.
Tebogo Moloi, a 23 year old boy from Mabopane is a rhabdomyosarcoma cancer survivor who has been with Footprints Foundation for 17 years and has benefited from the programmes he has attended over the years.
“I joined this organisation four years ago as a volunteer giving a hand in their clinics here at the lodge and by assisting children they are hosting. I was diagnosed with the cancer three months after I was born. This cancer affects the bladder and causes me to urinate blood and I stayed in hospital for two years.
“Since I met the organisation they gave me support through each step I took and I thank them for what they are doing. They must continue helping the needy and may God give them strength to do more in our communities,” said Mr Moloi.
The Footprints Foundation encourages those living with children with serious illnesses to give them support.
Footprints Foundation can be contacted by email at Leon.jooste@justfootprints.org.za or P.O.Box 1045 Houghton 2041.
