Holistic Healthcare with SHAWCO

Our healthcare partnership with SHAWCO on Saturday 24th August led to another wonderfully successful Mobile Clinic Community Playdate at Khanyisa Church. 

The turnout, despite the weather (or perhaps because of it), was fantastic. It was heartening to see the community come together, taking advantage of the opportunity to engage with us whilst waiting to see paediatric student clinicians.

This event allowed children to play, stay stimulated, and gave parents a chance to learn about being PlaySMART at home.

The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” perfectly captures the collective responsibility we witnessed at this event. It highlights the importance of a supportive "village" in nurturing a child’s social-emotional and physical well-being, achieved through connection and play.

Community mentors provide guidance, diverse role models offer inspiration, and opportunities for socialisation are facilitated through the interactive activities provided by Sisanda FunDaytion Play Ambassadors. 

Local resources, such as the church hall and clinic, create a safe space for play, while shared caregiving responsibilities ease the burden on families.

By integrating play into these aspects, we significantly enrich a child’s development and overall well-being in a truly holistic manner and make waiting to see a healthcare practitioner a joyful experience instead of a long frustrating and sometimes anxious wait.

We love doing these clinics with SHAWCO and the UCT students are so amazing about spending time and getting silly with the kids!