The leading distributor of Apple, DJI and Nintendo in South Africa launched an iSchool Africa iPad Learning Programme at Baragwanath hospital to observe International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
This initiative which has been introduced to other hospitals like Steve Biko Academic Hospital aims to enhance the educational experience of paediatric oncology patients, by giving them access to technology and educational resources during their treatment and hospital stay.
CEO of Baragwanath Hospital, Dr Nthabiseng Makgana welcomed guests and said it was a pleasure to welcome the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC) as they are an esteemed organisation dedicated at changing lives of children who are facing cancer challenges.
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“iSchool Africa plays a pivotal role in these children’s lives and I hope that some of them come out as Doctors in the end ,” said Dr Makgana.
Hospital teachers and CHOC volunteers are being comprehensively trained to use the iPads effectively, offering essential educational support to young cancer patients so they don’t miss out on their education while at hospital.
CEO of Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, Hedley Lewis said, “With September being International Cancer Awareness Month, we need to amplify the voices, be very aware that cancer is curable and we need to make sure that we embrace each other.
“Today is an important day because we are adding value and we chose iSchool Africa because they focus on education.
“And because of the impact they have made, it was a natural synergy that we came together.”
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The partnership is aimed at making life more bearable for young cancer patients while putting their education first.
Lewis went to thank everyone who was involved in making the initiative a success.
Founder of IPad Learning, Michell Lissoos said, “We had seen the impact that iPad Learning had on different communities.
“This programme is to educate and to also distract the children from what they are going through. African story books are loaded on the iPads as well and that is why we saw the need to bring it here.”
Professor Gita Naidu, Head of Paediatric Oncology at Baragwanath Hospital said children in low income countries have less chances of survival because they do not have facilities close to their homes and it takes a while for them to receive diagnosis.
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He added that as a country we have made gains but we can definitely do better.
“We are grateful for CHOC and other NGOs including iSchool Africa. We all know an educated population makes life better for everyone,” added Professor Naidu.
A cancer survivor, Xichavo Mhangani gave insight about his journey with cancer at 17 years old.
He said he was scared and felt totally alone as there was no one to comfort him as he was from a child-headed home with him being the eldest.
He continued to say he would like to thank CHOC for firstly providing him with a roof over his head when he was in time of need and assisting him financially.
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Dr Stephen Mankupane stood in for the Health MEC and apologised on her behalf for not making it.
“Education is needed for these children as they will be empowered to deal with any situation and their minds will be in a positive state,” said Mankupane.
One of the teachers from Bara Hospital School, Ayanda Zwane said these iPads do not only assist academically but they also distract the children from the spaces that they are in.
Programme Developments Manager at CHOC, Adri Ludick said, “When the children are diagnosed with cancer they are out of the school system for about seven months.
“Now thanks to iSchool Africa, those iPads are going to be used to help with educating the children with the help of the teachers of Baragwanath Hospital.”
Children were seen in the wards, with their parents and teachers working on their iPads.
