Meet Bethu

“Bethu got hurt in those streets and now he has a dream to become a policeman because he wants to help children just like him.”

This is the story of a brave young boy, Bethu from Philippi, Cape Town, who exudes such an incredibly positive attitude that one cannot be the same after being in his company. Bethu’s youthful appearance belies his emotional maturity and the compassion he has toward his fellow human beings. He teaches us that if we can see ourselves beyond our situation, then maybe we are not so far from being there.

Bethu was playing happily in the street near his home, laughing and having fun with his friends, without a care in the world. In the blink of an eye, without warning, he found himself on the ground, writhing in pain. He was knocked over in a hit-and-run accident and an ambulance rushed him to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) for specialist treatment and care.

It is days later and little Bethu is alternating between crutches and a wheelchair. He  bravely tries to hold back his tears but is unable to keep them from rolling down his cheeks as he starts talking about how he longs to play with his friends. It may be a while before Bethu is up and literally running again, and the hospital visits are long because of the healing work that needs to be done.

Relieved that Bethu is alive and well, his mother shares that he is on his way to recovery and that her little boy visits the Physiotherapy Department regularly to regain his mobility and confidence. He also visits the clinic for special care of his open wounds and scars.

Click on the image to listen to Bethu share his story

At RWMCH, a new Therapeutic Playground will be built with the aim to heal sick and injured children through play. This R17.5 million project will create a space for patients to heal beyond the physical; through therapeutic play children will learn how to socialise and increase their mobility after trauma-related incidents such as burn injuries and bone fractures. Play also improves fine motor skills, reduces anxiety and aids in the neuro, cognitive and the overall, holistic development of children.

A new Therapeutic Playground at Red Cross Children’s Hospital will not only give children the ability to heal through play but provide them with an imaginary escape from the reality of their traumatic associations and experiences.

Help the Children’s Hospital Trust develop a safe and stimulating new Therapeutic Play area at the Hospital that will cater for children of all ages and abilities, including outpatients like Bethu, their caregivers and other family members (siblings etc), as well as inpatients who are well enough to leave the ward with supervision.

Donate today and help us make these little patients’ dreams come true. 100% of your donations will help build a magical, interactive and colourful Therapeutic Playground where these little ones will heal and develop as they play. They will play again, because of you. They will laugh again, because of you. They will dream bigger, because of you. Because of you, their dreams matter.

Click on the image to listen to Dr Dirk, Head of Trauma at RCWMCH