The Queen Butterfly Foundation officially release its book
The money raised from all the book sales will be used for physiotherapy equipment, communication devices and cause-and-effect toys.
Palesa Mofokeng is a dedicated young woman with a passion for helping children who cannot help themselves. After developing her passion at a young age, she joined the team at Pathways Roodepoort and her desire to help only grew. Palesa decided to leave Pathways and open the Queen Butterfly Foundation, a stimulation centre that caters for children and young adults with profound physical and mental disabilities.
The NPO is currently situated at a church in Wilro Park, and while they hope to one day have their own premises, their first goal is raising money for new tools to improve their programme. This is why Palesa and her best friend (and former boss) Julie Botha decided to take on the project of releasing a book.
As an NPO, releasing a book is not an affordable project; this is why Palesa was so grateful to City of Joburg when they agreed to fund it. CoJ helped with the costs of printing and publishing the educational children’s book, written and illustrated by Julie.
On Saturday, 28 September, the book was officially released. Community members, parents, children and other NPO founders joined Palesa and Julie for the launch of Bluebelle Loves Springtime. The stunningly illustrated book tells the story of Bluebelle the baby elephant and how she discovers the importance of rain, water, and friendship.
The book was sold for R100 a copy, and Julie was happily signing the copies bought at the event. The money raised from all the book sales will be used for physiotherapy equipment, communication devises and cause-and-effect toys.
More than 30 books were sold at the release, which was held at the Crous Art Gallery. Palesa is extremely grateful to the community and all the supporters who came to the launch and purchased books to help her foundation.
Palesa has said that one of the main reasons they have released the book is so there is a way for the foundation to raise much needed funds by also providing something tangible for the people who support them. “This way, we are not just asking for money to help our centre, we are providing something to the community that they can take home and enjoy. They are not only buying a book, they are helping the organisation sustain itself.”
A substantial number books have been printed for the cause and Palesa has is appealing to the community and all ECD centres to purchase the book which teaches children the value of animals and nature in an adorable way.
A few books were also donated to some ECD (Early Childhood Development) Centres as a way for the foundation to give back.
