Honouring an icon on Mandela Day, Bears of Courage gave knitted teddy bears to the sick children in the paediatric ward at Life Robinson Private Hospital.
Ronelle Baars, the founder of the organisation, said she was inspired when she read an article about the Bears of War last year. “These little bears were knitted by women to help children who were removed from their families during World War II. It was a very simple pattern and uses only one ball of wool.”
She was intrigued and set out to find the original pattern used. She also researched the history of these bears. According to her, these bears are still being made in various countries and are sent to children in war-torn countries to this day.
“I decided to call our bears the Bears of Courage. Last year, a team of five people made 67 bears for Mandela Day. They were handed out at only two hospitals, but this year with the help of many volunteers, we managed to make more than 300 bears,” Ronelle said.
These bears were handed out to sick children, newborn babies and children in various sanctuaries and homes.
The looks on the children’s faces warmed the hearts of the volunteers and the Life Robinson Private Hospital staff when the bears were handed out on Wednesday.
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