Africa’s first burns charity, Children of Fire, travelled 1 000 km earlier in January to inspire fire fighters in Kimberley to carry on their good work for the area they serve.
At Kimberley Fire Brigade, youth ambassadors Letty Ndimande (7), Rien ne Dit Kasongo (12), and Kutlwano Kekana (15) received an enthusiastic welcome and interacted with the fire fighters.
Bronwen Jones, charity founder, explained its history and work for the past three decades across the continent. in 2016 Jones was presented with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to young survivors of burn injuries in South Africa.
The children dined at the Kimberley Club where they absorbed the history of the beautiful old building, and visit the Big Hole and Mine Museum.
An impromptu mini fire drill was arranged at Human Auto in Kimberley as the charity’s vehicle needed a repair. The children presented gifts to all 60 staff on site to reinforce the fire safety message.
Access declined
During a planned visit to the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital the charity was to donate R90 000 worth of gifts to paediatric, child and adult burns patients, and healthcare workers. Despite prior arrangements, access was declined by the hospital’s offsite public relations officer.
“I know I am young but I saw at Estcourt Hospital, Madadeni Hospital, Bongani Regional Hospital and the other places that we visit across South Africa, that patients like to get presents but most of all, they like to talk to us about how we all healed, how we got better after being hurt,” a disappointed Letty said.
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Rien added: “Burns survivors are brothers from another mother. We support each other and it is a pity that office people used the excuse of protocols to prevent visits.”
Kutlwano said: “We travelled far with open hearts, to help. But visiting the fire brigade and other hospitals made it worth the effort.”
Patient ‘happy and uplifted’ by interaction
They then instead visited Lenmed Royal Hospital after swift coordination. They met an eight-year-old patient, and gifted him a teddy bear, ball, books and toiletries. He was bandaged across his torso due to a large scald, and was happy and uplifted by the interaction with fellow young burns survivors.
The journey continued to the Warrenton Community Health Centre where patients and staff were happy to receive them. A six-year-old awaiting surgery for appendicitis was diverted from his pain by the cheerfulness of other children reaching out to him. The Youth Ambassadors took the remaining supplies to the Christiana Clinic where nurses and patients were ecstatic at impromptu kindness to start their year.
Children of Fire continues to work across Africa to prevent burn injuries, prevent and mitigate disasters, and uplift burn survivors through practical action, education, and outreach.
The charity is arranging an international climbing expedition for teenage burns survivors and encourages parents and teachers of children currently aged 11 to 17 years old, to contact them via firechildren@icon.co.za to discuss what the journey will involve and how it will change their lives for the better.
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