Children at Charlotte Maxeke and Rahima Moosa hospitals received a dose of festive joy on 24 December, as the crew of community radio station ChaiFM and a few special listeners paid a visit to share the light of Chanukah on the last day of this joyful Jewish festival.
Bearing doughnuts (traditionally eaten on Chanukah), colouring books, activity books, stationery and toys, the visitors spent time with the children, their caregivers, and their parents, experiencing the satisfaction that comes with doing a good deed. The team met children in dire circumstances, some suffering injuries from car accidents, dependent on ventilators, and a few for whom doctors could do no more. However, the strongest impression that these visitors received was one of hope.
According to station manager, Kathy Kaler, one child, found sitting up in bed in the CHOC Oncology unit at Charlotte Maxeke, made a strong impression on the ChaiFM team.
“I went up to her and asked if she would like to be a princess,” said Kaler. “She nervously looked to her mom and as I placed the princess crown on her head, she again looked to her mom, her head inclined to her shoulder and then the biggest smile erupted on her face. This little girl, who was around nine years old had something very special happen to her today – she became the princess.”
The ChaiFM team extended special thanks to Cybil Chabedi, Alan Rosenmeyer, Naomi Lichtenstein, Justin Joffe, Adrienne Cohen, Matthew Gordon, Steven Herr and Nadine Bricker. The visitors also extended their gratitude to the medical and nursing staff at Charlotte Maxeke and Rahima Moosa hospitals, as well as to donors Readers Warehouse and Mooz Brothers.
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