“Lindokuhle dreams of being a scientist when she is all grown up. My heart sings at the idea of my daughter flourishing into a successful, independent and ambitious woman. Never mind our trials and tribulations, given the drive that my child has within her, we will overcome and triumph”. – Babalwa Dlakavu.

The sound of children playing in the schoolyard is a happy sound. It’s the sound of growth, development, friendship and hope: hope for a future that is limitless, inclusive and secure. When a child requires hospital care for long periods that hope is suddenly challenged; dreams are challenged.

Missing out on schoolwork during this time can be even more stressful, especially when the child loves school, is diligent in nature and wants to learn and grow. Going to school is more than an educational building block, and when this experience is disrupted or halted the affected child needs support on many levels. But this is where the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital’s on-site Primary School saves the day!

12-year-old, Grade 6 learner, Lindokuhle Dlakavu from Khayelitsha in Cape Town has chronic lung disease and together with her mother, Babalwa Dlakavu, spent two months (May to June 2020) regularly visiting the Red Cross Children’s Hospital for treatment. As a result, she has not been able to attend her local primary school during this time.

Due to her illness and the risk of COVID-19, Dr Vanker, Lindokuhle’s pulmonologist, advised that she should not return to school and rather adapt to the ‘new normal’, which is online learning.

Since being discharged in June, an excited and curious Lindokhule worked remotely with Michelle Shargey, the school’s principal, via Zoom and WhatsApp. This was all very new to her. Michelle assisted her with the work provided by the school as well as other enrichment activities. Twice a week she visited the hospital for face-to-face learning as well as receiving additional input from special education educator, Sharon Langley, who was working remotely at that time.

“She’s a very sensible and mature child and her mom is extremely invested. Looking at her journey with the school and how she has adapted, one can only be proud and inspired by her strength and tenacity.” says Michelle.

In October 2020, Lindokuhle was given the most welcomed go-ahead by Dr Nupen, from Paedspal, to return to her school.

Paedspal is a public-private partnership programme that provides care and support for children living with life threatening and limiting illnesses in the Western Cape. Along with the Red Cross Primary School, they play an important and necessary role in helping these brave young souls to re-integrate into mainstream educational and developmental activity that is the right of every child.

“The public school was very reluctant to take her back. I spoke to the Principal and she said that Lindokuhle had missed out on so much work already. But actually, Lindokuhle is probably ahead of her classmates, because I’ve been teaching her at the hospital on a one-on-one basis and I have organised zoom and WhatsApp sessions for her”, says Michelle.

“The school then responded well and Lindokuhle has adjusted to the mainstream school environment,” she adds.

In times of distress we all need a friend, no matter how big or small we are.

And in such challenging times as we experience with COVID-19, the hospital’s school continues to make provision for the educational needs of children to help them get one step closer to reaching their dreams.

The bravery of the caregivers and educators is mirrored in the joyful strength of the children like Lindokuhle, who says that while patients should focus on their recovery with bravery and courage, they should also not lose hope when it comes to learning. “It’s never too late to learn”, she says.

“To the doctors and Michelle, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are now, and they must continue to help other sick children. I become speechless when it comes to talking about them – my gratitude is unexplainable”, says mom.

The Red Cross Hospital School is accessible and available to all in-patients, and we are so proud of how courageous and strong each child is in order to overcome immense challenges and still make their schooling a priority.