Giving hope to children with cancer
FROM FRIDAY TO YESTERDAY, Rainbow Dreams Trust held its eighth and last “Camp Hope” of 2017 at the Rotary camp site in Glencairn, Cape Town.
Some 32 children with cancer, from Groote Schuur and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, were united.
The aim was for the children to return to their own world with courage, belief in themselves and a greater sense of hope for their future.
Camp Hope offers a special camping experience to disadvantaged children aged between 6 and 16 who face additional daily challenges in their lives due to physical or circumstantial limitations.
This year, the Rainbow Dreams Trust welcomed children with HIV, blind children, orphans and chronically ill-children.
“One of our main goals on the camps is to encourage the children to dream and to believe that those dreams can come true”, says Dannie Kagan, founder and director of the trust.
During the camp, the children do a lot of activities, all aimed at improving their attitude to their disability or their situation, and at the same time learning.
“For example, they meet and learn about reptiles during a snake show, enjoy a sidecar adventure, participate in craft sessions to ignite their creativity, join in a spectacular drumming session to get the kids energised, hike into the mountains… And not forgetting, taking part in the infamous ‘Idols’ talent show.”
The camp is concluded by a powerful and symbolic goodbye ceremony, involving the children expressing their dreams. Through these activities, the Rainbow Dreams Trust hopes to instil in the children a sense of hope and enthusiasm for their own future.
How can you help?
First of all, Camp Hope couldn’t exist without financial help. All costs are derived entirely from donations and fundraising.
The Rainbow Dreams team is made up entirely of volunteers. These volunteers and "Rainbow Dreamer" buddies come from many different backgrounds, all with a common goal: wanting to participate in providing quality time and making a difference in the lives of these children.
Rainbow Dreams tries to provide one buddy for every one or two campers. The buddies provide support and encouragement to the children throughout the camp.
Before the camp, buddies are given training and orientation, and they assist in the planning and preparation for the camp.
So, do you think Camp Hope is useful and do you want to help these children?
Then you can sign up to be a buddy during Rainbow Dreams Trust’s camps of 2018, or make a donation, sponsor an activity or sponsor a child (at an average cost of R800).
More information about signing up as a buddy, how to get involved with Rainbow Dreams Trust or about how to make a donation, can be found by visiting www.rainbowdreamstrust.org or by e-mailing contact@rainbowdreamstrust.co.za Rani Marchal Intern Communications of Rainbow Dreams Trust