The Willow therapy room at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital has been beautifully revamped, thanks to the generosity and compassion of Elphin Lodge residents Colin and Linde Cocking and their friends.
As part of their Mandela Day initiative, Elphin Lodge and the Ron Smith Care Centre extended their support to the hospital by donating essential funds and care packs for new mothers and their babies. During a speech on launch day, sister Merlyn Glass, a staff member at the hospital, shared that while they had a counselling room, it was in desperate need of refurbishment, and they lacked the necessary funds.
A few days later, Rand Aid’s Neeri Stroebel was talking to Elphin Lodge resident Colin Cocking, who was deeply moved by the hospital’s mission. Inspired, Colin and and Linde and friends, Sue Meijboom and Pam Andreka, enthusiastically took on the project to transform the therapy room.
“I am proud to say that the ripple effect of our Mandela Month initiative at Rahima Moosa will provide long-term benefits to many,” says Neeri.
In a heartfelt letter to Elphin Lodge, sister Merlyn Glass and doctor Amy Wise, the head of obstetrics, gynaecology, and fetal medicine, expressed their sincere gratitude: “We would like to thank everyone for the generous refurbishment of the Willow Room. We are especially grateful to Colin for his contributions and Sue for her creative and beautiful work.”
The newly revamped room will now serve multiple purposes, including sonars and patient consultations, counselling and support sessions, staff debriefing and as a space for registrars who need a place to sleep overnight.
Linde and Colin Cocking.
Sue Meijboom, Colin Cocking and Pam Andreka.