Duo stimulates minds of cancer survivors

Sabrina Albino and Angelina Correia, both aged 17, have become an inspiration to many.

On September 2, the Grade 11 learners from Marist Brothers Linmeyer made a donation to Netcare Clinton Hospital’s paediatric oncology unit.

They presented the unit with a mobile library aimed at stimulating the minds of cancer survivors and those visiting the unit.

The selfless duo has been involved in other live-changing programmes aimed at positively impacting the lives of those in need.

Since Grade Eight, Sabrina and Angelina have been part of the school’s outreach programme called Co-Workers.

This is a charity group consisting of enthusiastic learners that lend a helping hand to the community on a weekly basis.

According to Sabrina, the idea of donating a mobile library kicked in when her father was in hospital battling cancer.

“I saw children always walking in and out of the hospital to see their specialist, and I knew I had to do something. I spoke to Angelina and we intended this project for the oncology unit. At the beginning of this year, we started to plan,” she said.

After getting a go-ahead from school in January, the pair went spoke to Dr Tanya Schickerling of the hospital’s paediatric oncology unit.

Friends and family members supported the initiative and donated towards this good cause.

Angelina thanked the community for showing their support towards their initiative.

She told the CHRONICLE the mobile library, which was made by a relative, contains colouring-in books, reading books, puzzles, games, stationery and toys.

“The library caters for both young and old and is intended to stimulate minds. We thank our friends and family for lending a helping hand, as well as our teacher for allowing us to do this. We believe our peers will also find inspiration from this,” she said.

Proud moment

Schickerling thanked the youngsters for spreading love through their donations.

“Everyone coming to our unit will benefit from this mobile library. This will keep our patients busy and their brains going. Oncology patients who stay here long become depressed, so these books will help their mental state. It’s going to get them out of bed and motivate them,” she said.

The youngster’s parents, Isabel Correia and Ivone Albino said they were very proud of their children for lending a helping hand to others.