Meet Raghma

Raghma Taskia Solomons is a bright and inquisitive child. Her smile is beguiling and reflects her sunny albeit shy personality. She bravely sets her shyness aside to pose for a photo and the life in her eyes is joyous. She might be quiet and unassuming, but this little girl has many dreams. Her love of writing hints at a very creative future. A future that her mother, Shanize, now feels more optimistic about.

A year ago this December, Raghma Taskia had her first epileptic fit. Shanize recalls the night her daughter was rushed to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

“We didn’t know what to do,” she says. “She got [the fit] in her sleep. It’s very dangerous when she gets it in her sleep,” she emphasizes.

But Shanize and Raghma Taskia’s family knew where to go. With the help of a friend, Shanize was able to bring her child to Red Cross Children’s Hospital. They spent the night at the Hospital undergoing thorough various tests and scans, which led their medical team to a prompt diagnosis. Raghma Taskia has epilepsy and a cyst on the left side of her brain. Comforted by the reassuring and informative relationship that the doctors have established with her, Shanize looks towards her daughter’s healthcare journey with optimism and hope.

“Raghma Taskia will start school next year,” she beams, “and I’m sure she will be much better then.”

This bright young child will have the support of some of the world’s leading healthcare practitioners as she attends the Children’s Hospital for consistent monitoring and careful medication, which more than adds quality to her life; it adds a sense of recognition and significance to her outlook on life. Raghma Taskia is seen; she is important. And by the smile on her face, it is obvious that she is loved.

Raghma Taskia may very well grow up to be a writer and storyteller, and you can be sure that she will tell stories about the family at Red Cross Children’s Hospital who pay very close attention to her health, because they want her to have every chance, every dream, and every hope for a brighter future.

Because of her medical team at Red Cross Hospital, Raghma Taskia will dream safely. Because of the love, care and support she receives, this little one will dream. Raghma Taskia’s team at the Children’s Hospital knows how important this is for her, because Dreams Matter.

Help the Children’s Hospital Trust develop a safe and stimulating new Therapeutic Play Area at the Hospital that will cater for children like Raghma Taskia who visits the hospital often for longer periods of time. This space will allow her to play while she waits and simultaneously receive the added benefits of the play environment.

Every cent you give, will help build a magical, interactive and colourful Therapeutic Playground where these little ones will heal and develop as they play.

The playground will not only heal through play but provide each patient with an imaginary escape from the reality of their traumatic associations and experiences. Through therapeutic play, children can learn how to socialise, increase their mobility, and reduce anxiety. Even more so for the little ones who experience delayed cognitive development, play is a way to build trust and confidence again and through solidarity and sensorimotor play – where the child plays alone (with supervision) and focuses on the activity. Though repetition, Raghma Taskia will also be able to strengthen her mind as it is proven that play aids in healing neuro, cognitive and the holistic development in children.

They will play again, because of you. They will laugh again, because of you. They will dream bigger, because of you.

Donate today! Because of you, their dreams matter