This space is specifically designed for children with life-threatening diseases between the ages of 3 and 18 years old who stay at the hospital for prolonged times. This Dream Room is meant to stimulate, educate, and inspire children because they do not have the luxury of enjoying their childhood outside the walls of hospitals. This space serves as a safe haven, helping them stay connected to themselves while fostering a sense of normalcy throughout their hospital stay.
Reach for a Dream's Regional Manager shared that the Dream room is designated to ease the child’s hospital experience while fostering hope, learning and development especially those without access to home-schooling resources. Dr Vermulen delivered an emotional speech, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to Reach for a Dream, Truworths, and everyone who made this Dream Room possible. She further mentioned how children are referred to as "resilient" and "warriors", but children should be spoken about as "safe" and "healthy", as these are young individuals who do not even understand what they are going through.
Truworths' Representative reiterated their commitment to supporting such initiatives, as there is an enormous need for projects like these in our country, and this is the fifth out of eight Dream Rooms that they have funded within the country. Hope is the word that stuck out to him in the Dream Room. He elaborated that “hope is not only for the children but also for the people around them. This Dream Room is not only just a space where children can have fun, but it is a symbol of hope, reminding these little souls that they are not alone, and their dreams matter no matter the circumstance”.
In closing, CEO of Provincial Hospital Mrs Notshe expressed her deepest gratitude, acknowledging that this gift extends beyond the children, it is for the staff as well. The launch of this room serves as a statement to the unimaginable power of partnership, that when we are in partnership, we can have projects that have an impact on the lives of those who need it most.
from left to right Truworths representative and Regional Manager of Reach for a Dream Ms Lwaneke Mpeta