Newsletter

WINTER EDITION 2010

An Winter miracle

Mihlali is staying in the little boys Sweet Basil ward, along with 30 other medically fragile children. Mihlali arrived at St. Joseph’s in August of 2009 with Gullian Barre Syndrome - a rare condition that paralyses the central nervous system. While there is no cure for the illness, proper treatment can help to reduce the impact of the illness.

Mihlali is 7 years of age, attends our own St. Joseph's Primary School and is in the first grade. His home language is Xhosa and before he was hospitalised, he attended a Xhosa school which meant that the language barrier slowed down his progress at school. He was a patient at Tygerberg Hospital for 6 weeks before he was placed at St. Josephs.

Mihlali was in a wheelchair when he first arrived at the Home and he was unable to walk. Today, as you can see in the picture, he can now stand and run around like a normal boy. He is a favourite amongst the staff, teachers and children and he is one of the many happy faces that greet visitors to the ward. The nurses find Mihlali to be a responsive patient with a ready smile for anyone that looks his way. He now even eats independently which was a big step for him and everyone admires his determination to get healthy again.

Mihlali would not be walking today if it had not been for the physiotherapy he received at St. Joseph’s Home and the on-going occupational therapy which has helped him tremendously with his progress at school. Mihlali has supportive parents and although, due to financial and family circumstances, they cannot visit as often as they would like, they take a keen interest in his progress and look forward to the day that Mihlali can return home.

Mihlali has shown us all how strong-willed and determined he is at overcoming his affliction. It is for that reason, that Mihlali is our winter Miracle Child.

It is interesting to notice how some minds seem almost to create themselves, springing up under every disadvantage, and working their solitary but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles.

Washington Irving

75 Years ago – Historic Archives

75 years, ago 10 Pallottine Missionary Sisters left behind their families and the world they had known, and journeyed to the Cape Flats, in South Africa, in order to help innocent children with chronic medical conditions. Today, thanks to their commitment and to your support and prayers, the legacy of healing continues.

Send Birthday greetings to the Pallottine Sisters

For 75 years, the Pallotine Sister’s have selflessly dedicated their lives to the success of St Joseph’s Home. In honour of this milestone, we would like to recognise and commemorate the devotion of the Pallottine Sisters by presenting them with a large Birthday Card at the 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 9th, at the Mount Nelson Hotel.

We invite you, our loyal friends, to help us wish the Sisters a happy birthday and to show them our gratitude and appreciation for creating a home filled with healing and happiness.

In this card, we will include the names of all the donors who make a monetary donation between June and August to help us close the fiscal gap this year. We would also ask that you include your mailing address, as the Sisters would want to personally thank everyone.

Please help us give the Pallottine Sisters the celebration and thanks they deserve for taking care of our children over the past 75 years. May God’s blessing be upon them.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE – POSSIBLE

Sr. M Boscona, SAC

Click here to make a Birthday Card donation.

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