Beauty and the Beast: when story telling inspires giving to those less privileged
This is as CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA celebrated the first handover of books collected during their festive season book drive to children undergoing cancer treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
Main Pic: Richmond Phidzaulima, Lindiwe Lekasapa, Justine Lipson, Prof Gita Naidu, Zotha Ngobese and Bronwen Hirshowitz
Cancer that affects children especially, is a painful experience for the little ones as well as their families, and therefore any gesture extended to these kids from the public and those with a charitable heart is most welcome.
This is exactly what happened recently at Chris Hanni Baragwanath Hospital when Joburg Theatre and a charitable organization working within the community of children with cancer donated books to children undergoing therapy.
This gesture of donating books was inspired by a famous annual pantomime that takes place at Joburg Theatre annually.
“We are thrilled to share a heartwarming milestone! On Tuesday, 19 November, Joburg Theatre and CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA celebrated the first handover of books collected during their festive season book drive.
This special event, held at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, marked the beginning of an initiative inspired by Janice Honeyman’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast, which celebrates the transformative power of stories. Brave young patients undergoing cancer treatment received the first collection of books, bringing moments of joy and comfort to their challenging journeys.
As Prof Gita Naidu, Head of Paediatric Oncology at the hospital, beautifully expressed”: “For children facing life-threatening illnesses, reading becomes a beacon of hope, providing comfort, distraction, and a sense of normalcy. Your generous contributions enrich their lives profoundly, offering an escape and a chance to dream,” a joint stamen from the collaborators reads.
What a wonderful gesture during this apt season when giving to those less privileged is encouraged, but unfortunately becoming less and less these days.
The book drive continues throughout the festive season, with a second handover planned for January 2025. Donations are still being accepted at Joburg Theatre’s reading corner or box office. Each book donated fills CHOC’s libraries with stories that inspire, uplift, and bring joy to young readers facing extraordinary challenges.