Zululand Observer - Monday

Support Ingwavuma’s little butterflie­s

- Tamlyn Head

BECOME part of a select group of people - the 500 friends of Butterfly Home - and help the children receiving end-of-life care at this Ingwavuma children's hospice centre.

In a bid to get Butterfly Palliative Home – the only children’s hospice in KZN – into a more sustainabl­e position financiall­y, Christoff and Tarryn Bell who run the centre have launched the #500friends campaign.

“The idea is that 500 ‘friends of Butterfly Palliative Home’ commit to donating R500 each month to support our work,” said Tarryn.

“If we get 500 friends, our overheads and salaries are covered each month.

“It’s been a slow year financiall­y, and we believe this could turn things around.

“I think many people want to make a difference in South Africa, and especially KZN, but don’t know where to start.

“A R500 donation is not a crazy amount, but can make a huge impact.”

It is not just individual­s and families who can pledge, but businesses and corporates are also urged to consider supporting this centre.

About Butterfly Palliative Home

One of only three children’s hospice facilities in South Africa, and

the only one in KZN, Butterfly Palliative Home was started in 2017 with the Bells’ first adopted child Ncami, who sadly passed away at the age of two.

She was Down syndrome and had a heart condition.

Baby Si then came along in 2019, who was estimated to be six months old when he arrived from Soweto.

He had been found in some bushes, and was diagnosed with Edward’s syndrome.

He lived at the home, which wasn’t on its current premises, until he passed away at the age of four.

Going on three years ago, the Bells bought the land with a dream of building the hospice.

The facility was built thanks to numerous generous donations, and officially opened in 2022.

“We believe every child needs to be in a loving family,” said Tarryn.

Tarryn is a social worker and Christoff is a doctor at Mosvold Hospital, and tends to the hospice children after a full day’s work.

To set up your R500 monthly pledge:

Butterfly Palliative Home

FNB cheque account

Acc number: 6285782574­2

Branch: 250069

Swift: FIRNZAJJ

Reference: 500 Friends

Once pledged, please email your name and contact details to info@ butterflyh­ome.org.za so Tarryn can keep track of all their ‘friends’.

 ?? ?? Butterfly Palliative Home co-founder Tarryn Bell with Si, one of the first babies to have been cared for at the facility
Butterfly Palliative Home co-founder Tarryn Bell with Si, one of the first babies to have been cared for at the facility
 ?? ?? Little Yassie is one of the little butterflie­s your donation will help support
Little Yassie is one of the little butterflie­s your donation will help support

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