N17 Hospital patients build their own pizzas
Medirest mascot Rusty the Rhino entertained children at the Netcare N17 Hospital during the pilot drive of Netcare's Build a Pizza project last Thursday.
The children, all patients of the paediatric ward, were given the opportunity to build their own pizzas.
The smaller children had to watch how Netcare’s catering staff put layer after layer of ingredients on their pizza.
N17 Hospital catering manager Dion Ramkurran says it was the launch of a wonderful initiative.
“These children are hospitalised with bone fractures, illnesses or to have their tonsils removed and are tense as it is, therefore, we decided to lift their spirits,” he says.
The children waited patiently while the catering staff took their completed pizzas to the kitchen to have it baked.
“The pizza served as the children’s lunch,” says Dion.
Rusty the Rhino, alias Thembu Siyewuyewu, will be the future mascot of this project.
He loved every moment with the children and is satisfied with a job well done.
Watch gallery:Â Mascot having fun at N17 Hospital
Dion says the children loved the mascot who made them forget about their aches and pains.
With the help of paediatric unit manager Gwen Naidoo, Dion and Rusty the Rhino, handed out gift boxes with balloons to the children.
“Each child received a Certificate of Bravery to show them how brave they are while being in hospital,” says Dion.
To finish the event off Rusty the Rhino, who also represented the Day of the Rhino, invited all the children to join him to dance to the rhythm of the music.
Phenyo Modupi (4) enjoyed the making of the pizza and she could not wait to eat the whole pizza by herself.
“I helped them built the pizza and it feels good,” she says.
Netcare N17 Hospital launched the 'Build a Pizza" project today.#RustytheRhino @SpringsJournOne @SpringsJournTwo @Netcare911_sa pic.twitter.com/d8WQjpQV4Z
— Springs Advertiser (@SpringsNews) September 22, 2016
