In the loving spirit of Mandela Day, Charlotte Maxeke Teddy Bear Clinic received a number of gifts from Bellavista School.
Nelson Mandela Day brought joy to the children of the Teddy Bear Clinic as they received donations from Bellavista School. Dr Efrat Barnes went to the school on July 18 in the middle of the day and explained that they were so amazed because they did not expect a lot of things.
Spearheading this heartfelt initiative of collecting teddies for the Teddy Bear Clinic was Drew Holman-Fitzpatrick, a clinical social worker and Jodie du Preez, a drama therapist. They aimed to gather comfort donations in honour of Mandela Day. President Mandela, affectionately called Tata, is known for his famous quotation, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
Dr Efrat Barnes said “It all began when I was assisting in the library by wrapping books with other parents. An inspiring idea was born to collect teddies, soft toys, blankets, and non-perishable foods for the Teddy Bear Clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).”
This initiative struck a chord with the children at Bellavista, who understand what it is to face challenges, each having walked a unique educational journey not easily accommodated in the conventional schooling system. Aligning with parents, children, and teachers who share the same ethos felt like a natural step for them.
However, the sheer magnitude of the generosity that followed surpassed all their expectations. They managed to collect a busload of goodies, a testament to the genuine enthusiasm and compassion exhibited by everyone involved. The jam and peanut butter will help feed children suffering from food insecurity, where this sandwich might be their only meal of the day.
Each child receives a teddy bear after their forensic examination, they often tell them this is a sign of their bravery.
The soft toys collected by Bellavista School it will act as transitional objects, providing essential support during these emotionally challenging times. The recent snow and cold weather made the donated blankets even more meaningful, offering much-needed warmth and comfort to those in need.
The Teddy Bear Clinic, founded over 30 years ago by Prof Lorna Jacklin, plays a crucial role in supporting children in distress. Functioning as a speciality centre with referrals from various courts, including the Johannesburg and Pretoria High courts. The clinic assists children who have faced unimaginable traumas such as child trafficking, murders, and inflicted abuse.
They are collaborating closely with the Social Work Department at CMJAH, some of the collected items will be dedicated to abandoned babies and other wards, where the clinic’s compassion reaches beyond its primary beneficiaries.
Working together with the Teddy Bear Foundation, led by Dr Shaheda Omar “These gifts come as a ray of hope and comfort. The initiative of Bellavista School reminds us of the power of compassion and unity. In Prof Lorna Jacklin’s words, we dream of a world where abuse is but a distant memory.”
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