Holistic Care in Action - March Newsletter
At St Joseph’s, every child’s journey is a story of resilience, care, and transformation. thanks to the support of our donors, children who arrive with complex medical conditions and developmental delays receive the specialized, holistic care they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
How Your Support Changes Lives
Meet Angel. Admitted in 2021 with multiple medical challenges, she needed a tracheostomy and PEG feeding tube. Therapy was a struggle—she feared leaving the ward and refused to engage with toys. But through innovative therapy, including hydrotherapy for language stimulation, Angel has found her voice. She now eats independently, tolerates her speaking valve for longer periods, and is forming two-word sentences. Seeing her confidence bloom in the pool has been one of the greatest joys for her therapist.
Meet Asiphe, a 5-year-old with cerebral palsy. She once struggled with balance and feared sitting on chairs. Today, after dedicated therapy, she can sit unsupported, play, and eat alongside her peers. Her next milestone? Putting on her shoes independently.
Meet John in Daisy Ward. His vision has improved, allowing him to track moving objects for the first time. He is now reaching for toys, responding to bright colours, and activating his music box—a breakthrough for his sensory development.
Meet Miss ON, a 3-year-old with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. When her mother was unable to stay with her at St Joseph’s, we adapted—trialing an outpatient rehabilitation model. Through play-based therapy, little Miss ON regained independent mobility, and today, she continues her rehab journey at home.
Nutritional Care
Children admitted to St Joseph’s continue to present with pre-existing nutritional challenges, highlighting the urgent need for access to nutritional support both during their stay and after discharge. Our recent statistics reveal the severity of this issue: 49% of our patients are acutely malnourished and underweight for their age, 61% are chronically malnourished and stunted for their age, and 35% present with severe malnutrition.
Through our dedicated nutritional program, supported by dietitians and medical staff, we work tirelessly to improve each child’s nutritional status. These vital nutritional interventions not only help young patients regain their strength but also make them physically stronger, less susceptible to infections, and more resilient during times when they need to fight illness. By ensuring they receive the nourishment they need, we are giving them the best possible chance at recovery and long-term health.
Innovation in Patient Care
Virtual Reality Therapy: Thanks to Reach for a Dream and Cell C’s sponsorship, children like Lindokuhle, who suffered burns and knee contractures, experience pain-free therapy with distraction techniques using virtual reality headsets.
Join the 9 Zero Challenge: 90 Years, 9 Ways to Give
As we celebrate 90 years of compassionate care, we invite you to take part in the 9 Zero Challenge—9 impactful ways to make a difference.
Which challenge will you take on?
✅ Donate ZAR90 or ZAR900 to fund meals, medical supplies, or therapy.
✅ Pledge 90 minutes of volunteering or fundraising for St Joseph’s.
✅ Gift your 90th day of the year (March 30) to raise awareness for our cause.
✅ Encourage 9 friends to join the challenge.
✅ Run, walk, or cycle 90 km in solidarity with our young patients.
✅ Host a 90-minute charity event—a bake sale, trivia night, or coffee morning.
✅ Share 9 reasons why you support St Joseph’s on social media.
✅ Sponsor a child’s therapy for 90 days.
✅ Create your own #9ZeroChallenge idea!
Benefits of giving to young patients at St Joseph’s
St Joseph’s is a registered non-profit organisation and approved as a public benefit organisation (PBO) under Section 18A of the Income Tax Act in South Africa. Donors will receive a Section 18a Tax Certificate. NPO 002/908 and PBO 130000399. VAT Reg. No. 4840113866.
Donations made to St Joseph’s now offer tax benefits to donors residing in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany and as from mid-March in Canada.
Every gift, every hour, and every action help transform lives.
Together, let’s make this 90th anniversary a milestone of impact, healing, and hope.
With gratitude, All at St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care
